Domestic Affairs

Trump’s Escalation in the U.S.-China Trade War: Implications of 104% Tariffs and Beijing’s Retaliatory Measures

Michael Frick

09 Apr 2025 — 5 min read

The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Introduction

On April 9, 2025, President Donald Trump implemented sweeping new tariffs on Chinese imports, raising duties to an unprecedented 104%. This escalation marks a critical juncture in the ongoing U.S.-China trade war, which has already destabilized global markets and strained bilateral relations. In response, China announced retaliatory tariffs of 84% on U.S. goods, further intensifying the conflict between the world’s two largest economies. This report examines the context, motivations, and consequences of these actions, analyzing their impact on trade dynamics, economic stability, and geopolitical relations.

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