Washington (TDI): US President Donald Trump has announced to halt reciprocal tariffs for most countries for a period of 90 days. However, the pause does not apply to China, and President Trump has instead raised tariffs on China to 125% from 104% which took effect at midnight.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China announced to impose 84% retaliatory tariffs on the United States.
The country has vowed to fight “till the end” against the unjust tariffs imposed by the United States and has already filed two cases against the US in the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Discussing the reason for the 90-day pause on tariff imposition, the US President commented that more than seventy five US trade partners did not retaliate and had instead reached out to the United States to negotiate a solution.
NEW TRUTH SOCIAL FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP:
🇨🇳125% TARIFF ON CHINA
🌎90-DAY PAUSE & LOWERED 10% RECIPROCAL TARIFF FOR OTHER COUNTRIES🚨EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY pic.twitter.com/Gt5Bd6276m
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 9, 2025
The stock indexes of the United States and several other countries that were earlier targeted by the reciprocal tariffs jumped overnight.
Trump said, “Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately.”
He further stated, “At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable.”
Moreover, President Trump announced, “I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE and substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Read More: China Hits Back with 84% Tariffs on US Goods
However, the White House hasn’t clarified yet on which countries the tariff pause would apply. Earlier on Wednesday, the European Union had voted in favor of retaliatory tariff imposition on the United States, but it wouldn’t be imposed until next week.
This recent announcement of the tariff pause would not affect the 25% tariffs on vehicle imports, as well as imports from Canada and Mexico under the USMCA trade deal.
The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, had stated earlier that it would take until July for the United States to finalize one-on-one trade agreements with the United States’ trading partners.
Read More: Tariff Showdown: Pakistan Sends High-Level Team to US
Several US Congressmen have appreciated President Trump’s move. Tom Emmer, a US Congressman commented, “He strengthened the United States’ negotiating power and masterfully positioned American workers back on top. The days of the United States being ripped off by other nations are OVER.”
Wesley Hunt, another US Congressman had said, “Trust the process. Trust in President Trump. Today, we moved one step closer to delivering real tax relief for hardworking Americans—and President Trump boldly called out China for its decades of unfair trade practices.
This is more than policy. It’s a generational reset—correcting years of failure and finally putting American workers, families, and businesses first. The future belongs to a strong, sovereign, and prosperous America.”
Beijing has not yet commented on the imposition of 125% levies.
Javaria Khalid is a Web Contributor at The Diplomatic Insight Magazine. She specializes in covering geopolitical developments, international relations, diplomatic, and socio-economic developments in Europe and Pakistan.
