The White House has confirmed that a 104% tariff on imports from China has officially taken effect, marking a sharp escalation in trade tensions between the two economic giants.
Tariff Follows Trump’s Ultimatum to China
The action follows through on a threat issued by President Donald Trump, who had given Beijing until Monday to withdraw its retaliatory 34% tariffs on American goods. With China refusing to back down, the United States responded by implementing one of its most aggressive trade measures in recent memory.
According to a report by Fox Business, the new tariff—factoring in existing duties and additional levies under Section 301 of the Trade Act—came into force at 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday, April 9. A White House official confirmed the tariff will be collected immediately, with further details expected in the coming days regarding the administration’s broader tariff review and ongoing investigations into Chinese state subsidies.
“This is one of the most aggressive trade actions the United States has taken in years,” the official stated. The administration maintains that these subsidies have long disadvantaged American manufacturers and workers.
Trump Halts Talks, Shifts Focus to Other Trade Partners
In a statement on Truth Social posted Sunday, Trump warned, “If China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long-term trading abuses by tomorrow… the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th.”
Following China’s decision to maintain its current stance, Trump also announced the suspension of future talks with Beijing. He added that the administration would instead prioritize trade discussions with other nations, signaling a shift away from bilateral negotiations with China.
Global Impact Expected as Supply Chains Adjust
The immediate imposition of the 104% duty is likely to have significant implications, not only for US-China relations but also for global supply chains. As businesses adjust to the sudden rise in import costs, economists warn of potential downstream effects on consumer prices and manufacturing operations.
While the White House views this as a necessary step to protect domestic industry, global markets are now bracing for heightened volatility amid growing uncertainty in international trade policy.
