Trump: China Tariff Will Be 104%+ MFN, Section 301 Tariffs on April 9
President Donald Trump declared that if China doesn't withdraw its 34% retaliatory tariff hike, "above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th. Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated! Negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
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Trump posted that on social media, where he posted repeatedly throughout the weekend and on Monday about tariffs.
A White House official confirmed that the 50% adds to the 34% reciprocal tariff, which was on top of the 20% fentanyl smuggling tariffs. All these tariffs are in addition to Section 301 tariffs and MFN tariffs, but not Section 232 tariffs.
He also wrote, "Countries from all over the World are talking to us. Tough but fair parameters are being set. Spoke to the Japanese Prime Minister this morning. He is sending a top team to negotiate! They have treated the U.S. very poorly on Trade. They don’t take our cars, but we take MILLIONS of theirs. Likewise Agriculture, and many other 'things.' It all has to change, but especially with CHINA!!!"
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later quoted that post in a tweet, and said, "I look forward to our upcoming productive engagement regarding tariffs, non-tariff barriers, currency issues, and government subsidies." He said he appreciated Japan's "measured approach to this process." He also said in another tweet that the administration looks forward to "meaningful negotiations" with more than 50 countries that are not retaliating.
Trump also posted that he would be reversing trade deficits with trading partners like the EU and China "QUICKLY," and said "the only way this problem can be cured is with TARIFFS, which are now bringing Tens of Billions of Dollars into the U.S.A."
Similarly, when he spoke to reporters on a flight back to Washington from Florida on April 6, Trump said he wants to solve the trade deficit with the EU, China and other countries. "We have to solve our trade deficit with China… . Hundreds of billions of dollars a year we lose with China. And unless we solve that problem, I’m not going to make a deal. I’m willing to a deal but they have to solve their surplus," he said.
Although Trump talked about reaching agreements with countries that sell more to the U.S. than they buy from the U.S., on social media, he said big businesses are focused on the tax bill underway in Congress, not tariffs. "Big business is not worried about the Tariffs, because they know they are here to stay," he wrote.
Trump responded angrily to a reporter who asked him if he would change course if the stock market kept falling. But on social media, he acknowledged the jitters the stock market is reflecting.
First, he posted, "China has been hit much harder than the USA, not even close. They, and many other nations, have treated us unsustainably badly. We have been the dumb and helpless “whipping post,” but not any longer. We are bringing back jobs and businesses like never before. Already, more than FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS OF INVESTMENT, and rising fast! THIS IS AN ECONOMIC REVOLUTION, AND WE WILL WIN. HANG TOUGH, it won’t be easy, but the end result will be historic. We will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!"
On Monday, April 7, he wrote, "The United States has a chance to do something that should have been done DECADES AGO. Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!). Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!"