Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a new ultimatum to Beijing, threatening to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports unless China withdraws its retaliatory trade measures against the United States. The announcement was made Monday via Trump’s Truth Social account and marks another escalation in an already tense U.S.-China trade dispute.
Trump stated that if China does not revoke its 34% tariff on U.S. imports by Tuesday, the U.S. will respond with an added 50% duty on top of existing levies, pushing total tariffs on Chinese goods to an unprecedented 54%. Talks with China have now been officially suspended, while negotiations with other nations will proceed “immediately,” Trump added.
This move follows Trump’s unveiling last week of a sweeping tariff package targeting nearly all foreign trading partners, framed as a “reciprocal trade policy.” The initial 34% tariff on China prompted a swift response from Beijing, which announced matching 34% tariffs on all American imports and called for dialogue through diplomatic channels.
In a direct message to the Chinese government, Trump wrote: “All requested meetings are canceled unless the retaliatory measures are lifted. We are moving forward with other countries that are ready to negotiate.”
Meanwhile, the European Union has been hit with a 20% tariff, but remains open to resolving the dispute diplomatically. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič emphasized the bloc’s willingness to negotiate zero industrial tariffs and zero auto tariffs, provided that any agreement is mutually beneficial.
“The European Union is ready to sit at the table whenever the U.S. is prepared,” Šefčovič told reporters on Monday. “But we will not wait forever.”
Global markets are now bracing for further volatility as fears of a global trade war mount. Economists warn that escalating tariffs could harm supply chains, raise consumer prices, and impact global GDP growth.
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