China retaliated against the US’ tariffs despite Donald Trump’s warning
Donald Trump has condemned China for ignoring his ‘warning for abusing countries not to retaliate’ against the US tariffs.
April 2: Trump Declares ‘Liberation Day’ as Sweeping New Tariffs Rock Global Trade
In a bold move that sent shockwaves through international markets, Donald Trump unveiled sweeping new tariffs on April 2—heralding it as “Liberation Day” for American industry, a turning point he claims will be “remembered as the day American manufacturing was reborn.”
Under the aggressive new policy, a 25% tariff now hits all foreign-made automobiles. A baseline 10% tariff applies broadly to all imports—except for countries within the USMCA free trade agreement (Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.). For those not in compliance, harsher penalties await: the U.K. faces a 10% tariff, EU goods are hit with 20%, and so-called “worst offenders” have been slapped with retaliatory tariffs. Chief among them: China, now facing a staggering 54% tariff on its exports to the U.S.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issued stern warnings against retaliation—but Beijing wasted no time responding.
Starting April 10, China is imposing its own 34% tariff on U.S. imports, while also filing a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization. A spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Commerce accused the U.S. of “serious violations” of WTO rules, charging that the tariffs “undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system and the international economic order.”
But Trump was unmoved. He fired back on Truth Social, brushing aside global concerns to focus on domestic wins.
“Oil prices are down, interest rates are down (the slow-moving Fed should cut rates!), food prices are down, there is NO INFLATION, and the long-abused USA is bringing in billions of dollars each week from countries that have taken advantage of us for decades,” Trump wrote.
“Even as China—the biggest abuser of all—hikes tariffs by 34%, their markets are crashing. They ignored my warning. Now, they’re paying the price.”
Trump doubled down in his fiery message, writing:
“They’ve raked in enough—for decades—by exploiting the Good Ol’ USA! And who let it happen? Our so-called ‘leaders’ of the past. They stood by while our country was drained. Not anymore. We’re taking it back. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Meanwhile, Beijing didn’t hold back. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lin Jian, delivered a sharp rebuke, slamming the U.S. for prioritizing its own interests over global norms.
“Putting America first at the expense of international rules is a textbook case of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying,” Lin told reporters. He warned that such actions risk damaging global supply chains and threatening the fragile recovery of the world economy.
“Pressure and intimidation are not effective ways to deal with China,” he added. “We will firmly defend our legitimate rights and interests—whatever it takes.”
