China Vows Retaliation as US Threatens 50% Tariff Hike Amid Trade War

Beijing has responded firmly to Washington's tariff threats, signaling it will not yield to pressure. This comes after the U.S. threatened to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods if China does not remove its 34% duties on U.S. imports. China's Commerce Ministry has condemned the U.S. actions as "unilateral bullying" and affirmed its readiness to take countermeasures to protect its interests. President Trump's warning, delivered via Truth Social on April 7, 2025, stated that if China did not withdraw its 34% tariff by April 8, the U.S. would impose an additional 50% tariff, effective April 9. This escalation follows China's earlier announcement of a 34% tariff on U.S. goods in response to the U.S. imposing its own tariffs. China's Ministry of Finance stated these countermeasures would be implemented starting April 10. The trade tensions have also seen China file a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and impose export controls on certain rare earth elements. These actions underscore the escalating conflict between the two largest economies, with potential ramifications for global markets and trade networks.