Washington (TDI): President Donald Trump is set to significantly raise tariffs on Chinese imports, with the new levies taking effect on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Tuesday.
The hike will push the total tariff on all Chinese products to at least 104 percent.
The decision comes after China refused to back down from its retaliatory stance, which included imposing 34 percent tariffs on US goods by noon Tuesday.
The Trump administration’s new tariff package will add an additional 50 percent to the existing 34 percent, resulting in the considerable increase in costs for Chinese imports.
Leavitt said, “Nations like China, who have decided to retaliate and try to double down on their mistreatment of US workers, are making a mistake.”
Read More: China Warns of Countermeasures Against US Tariff Escalation
She said that “President Donald Trump has a spine of steel, and he will not break.”
In 2024, China was the United States’ second-largest source of imports, with items worth $439 billion flowing into the country, while US exports to China hit $144 billion.
The escalating trade war threatens to harm both economies, potentially resulting in layoffs and difficulties for domestic industries.
Read More: China Challenges US Tariffs at WTO
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) and other nations are also facing new tariff rates as part of Trump’s broader trade policy.
These new tariffs, which were outlined last week, range from 11 percent to 50 percent, and most will take effect by midnight.
Despite international discussions and attempts to talk lower rates, Leavitt said that Trump has no intention of delaying the planned tariffs.
“He expects that these levies are going to go into effect,” she confirmed after speaking with the president earlier on Tuesday.
