In a swift and bold response to Washington’s latest tariff strike, China has announced it will ramp up tariffs on US imports from 34% to a whopping 84%, starting at 12:01 pm on Thursday.
The announcement came just hours after the US—under the direction of former President Donald Trump—rolled out steep new duties, including a crushing 104% levy on a range of Chinese goods. The tit-for-tat move signals a renewed escalation in the long-running trade tensions between the two global giants.
China’s finance ministry didn’t mince words, calling the US tariffs “a pile-up of policy mistakes” that trample on the country’s legitimate interests. It accused the US of undermining the global, rules-based trading system and vowed to take “firm and forceful” measures in defense of its economy.
But Beijing didn’t stop at tariffs. In a separate announcement, the commerce ministry revealed it would blacklist six American artificial intelligence companies, including Shield AI Inc. and Sierra Nevada Corp. The reason? Alleged arms sales and military collaborations with Taiwan—an issue that has long inflamed US-China relations.
This retaliatory move by China adds fresh fuel to an already intense trade conflict, with ripple effects likely to be felt across global markets, supply chains, and diplomatic ties. As both superpowers double down, businesses and investors are bracing for what could become another disruptive chapter in the global trade saga.
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