Trump's Steady Hand: No Relenting on Tariffs Despite China's Countermeasures
White House Affirms: No Temporary Trade Tariffs Implementation - The White House firmly reiterates no plans for tariff suspensions.
The Oval Office ain't backin' down on the new tariffs—not even at the last minute. According to White House spokeshole, Karoline Leavitt, President Donnie assured her that there's no consideration for extending or delaying the tariffs.
Once the clock strikes midnight local time (6:01 AM CET) on Wednesday, these tariffs go into effect, including the hefty 104% hike on China's imports. Leavitt mentioned that Donald's got China yearning for a deal with the Yanks. She claimed it's a dumb move by China to retaliate, saying, "You think you can hit America? Nah, we hit back twice as hard." Yet she expressed that both sides want to come to terms, they're just shy on how to do it.
Leavitt added, "The President wanted me to let y'all know he'll be all heart if China reaches out for a deal, though he'll always do what's best for the American people." In the past, Trump said he's waiting for a bell from China.
In light of China's announced counter-tariffs of 34 percent, Trump went ahead and proposed additional tariffs of 50 percent on China the day before.
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A Brief History of Trump's Tariffs:
Before we dive in, let's take a quick look back at some of Trump's tariff actions:
- Tariffs on China: In April 2025, Trump slapped a 20% tariff on China to tackle the rising flood of synthetic opioids, like fentanyl. The move included shuttering the de minimis exemptions to stamp out crafty shipping techniques used to sneak illicit substances into the U.S.[1] A month later, he raised the tariff on Chinese imports to 20%.[3]
- General Tariffs: Trump declared a national emergency, implemented a 10% tariff on all countries, and set a new policy in motion on April 5, 2025, aiming to combat non-reciprocal trade practices and safeguard U.S. economic independence.[2] To deepen the collective pain, Trump said he'd impose higher tariffs on countries with bloated trade deficits with the U.S., starting April 9, 2025.[2]
China's Response to Trump's Tariffs:
To match Trump's moves, China has consistently responded with its own countermoves, such as imposing tariffs on U.S. goods like agricultural produce, coal, liquefied natural gas, and large-engine cars.[3] In February 2025, China announced countermeasures following the U.S.'s tariff hike, which included new duties on U.S. imports and an anti-monopoly probe into Google.[3]
Negotiation Status:
As of right now, no deal's brewing that'd result in the suspension of these tariffs. The tariffs are part of a broader strategy to balance out trade imbalances and shield national security, with no clear timeline for revision unless other nations adjust their trade policies.[2] Tensions between the U.S. and China persist, with economic battles heating up.
The Commission, in light of the ongoing trade disputes with China, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation. This request comes after Donald Trump's recent announcement of proposed tariffs on China, which include a 104% hike on China's imports, as stated by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. Know that China retaliated with their own counter-tariffs of 34 percent, further intensifying the worldwide trade issues.
