The U.S. has raised import tariffs on goods from China from 104% to 125%, announced President Donald Trump. As for other countries, a 90-day pause for negotiations has been introduced, during which a 10% tariff will apply to all imports into the U.S., BBC’s Russian Service reported on April 9.
"Due to the disrespect China has shown toward global markets, I am raising tariffs on imports from China to 125%, effective immediately. At some point, I hope, in the near future, China will realize that it is no longer acceptable to exploit the U.S. and other countries," he wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
He also stated that over 75 countries had approached the U.S. requesting tariff negotiations, and for these countries, a deferral has been introduced; this measure also takes effect immediately and will last for 90 days.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Livitt clarified that the 10% tariffs would apply to all countries except China. According to her, over 75 countries had approached Trump with negotiation proposals, and the number of requests had shocked Washington.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnik wrote on social media that he was in the room when President Trump wrote "one of the most unusual posts on Truth Social during his presidency."
"The world is ready to work with President Trump to fix global trade, while China has chosen the opposite path," Lutnik stated.
Following Trump's announcement, major U.S. stock indices began to rise. Just before the market closed on Wall Street, the Dow Jones was up by 7.9%, the S&P 500 by 9.5%, and the Nasdaq by 12.2%.
According to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump's decision on new tariffs was not influenced by recent market dynamics.
However, Trump himself, commenting on his decision late Wednesday, essentially admitted that the situation on the markets influenced the reversal of introducing strict global tariffs, saying that flexibility was necessary.
"I thought people overreacted a bit. They start to get nervous, you know, they start to get nervous, a little scared," he told reporters. "We need to be flexible."
In the American president’s view, trade deals will eventually be made with all countries, including China.
