Bessent Rips China’s 84% Trade Retaliation Plan as ‘Loser Move’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called China’s massive 84% retaliatory tariff hike a “loser move” as tensions escalate in the U.S.-China trade war. Bessent pointed to China’s economic imbalance and dependence on exports to the U.S., dismissing Beijing’s leverage. He also urged China to address fentanyl exports and accused its leaders of avoiding real negotiations.
China’s 84% Tariffs Are a ‘Loser Move,’ Says Bessent: Quick Looks
- China Retaliates: Raises U.S. import tariffs from 34% to 84%.
- Bessent Responds: Says China’s economy is too export-heavy to sustain a trade war.
- Exports Gap: China exports 5x more to U.S. than vice versa.
- No Negotiations: Bessent slams Beijing for refusing trade talks.
- Fentanyl Criticism: Urges China to apply internal drug laws to fentanyl exporters.
- Market Reaction: Stocks wobble as tariffs deepen global uncertainty.
- Trump’s Tariffs: Raised duties to 104% on Chinese imports Wednesday.
- Chinese Stance: Beijing vows to “fight to the end” in trade war.
- Legal Pushback: Lawsuit challenges Trump’s tariff authority.
- Trade Imbalance: Bessent calls China’s economy “most imbalanced in modern history.”
Bessent Rips China’s 84% Trade Retaliation Plan as ‘Loser Move’
Deep Look
WASHINGTON, D.C. — April 9, 2025 — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivered a sharp rebuke of China’s decision to raise tariffs on U.S. goods to 84%, calling the move a strategic blunder in an increasingly volatile global trade war.
Speaking Wednesday on FOX Business’ Mornings with Maria, Bessent argued that China’s retaliation, prompted by President Donald Trump’s 104% tariff hike, reflects Beijing’s economic vulnerability rather than strength.
“It’s unfortunate the Chinese don’t want to come and negotiate,” Bessent said. “They have the most imbalanced economy in the history of the modern world. This escalation is a loser for them.”
Bessent emphasized that China’s exports to the U.S. outpace U.S. exports to China by a 5-to-1 margin, making it difficult for Beijing to match Washington’s trade penalties without inflicting self-harm.
Tariff Standoff Intensifies
China’s Commerce Ministry confirmed Wednesday that its 84% tariffs will go into effect Thursday, escalating what has become one of the most severe trade standoffs in decades. The move came in response to Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs — a sweeping strategy targeting nearly all Chinese imports.
In its accompanying statement, Beijing again pledged to “fight to the end,” signaling that it remains unwilling to enter new negotiations under Trump’s current terms.
Bessent dismissed this posture as economically self-defeating.
“They can raise their tariffs, but so what?” he said. “They are the surplus country. They depend on us.”
Calls for Action on Fentanyl
In addition to trade policy, Bessent pressed China to address its role in the fentanyl crisis, a recurring point in President Trump’s second-term messaging.
“Distributing drugs in China is punishable by death. Why don’t they apply the same standard to those exporting fentanyl precursors to the U.S.?” he asked.
The issue has become a key component of broader U.S.-China tensions, with Trump frequently linking the opioid epidemic to lax Chinese enforcement of drug export controls.
Domestic Pushback and Legal Challenges
Meanwhile, a conservative legal group has filed suit against the Trump administration, arguing that Congress never authorized the scale of tariff powers now being exercised. Critics on both sides of the aisle worry the trade war could provoke a global recession, with Bessent acknowledging corporate America is preparing contingency plans as businesses brace for prolonged disruption.
“Corporate America is planning for shutdowns in certain supply chains,” FOX Business contributor Charles Payne noted. “And Bessent is now seen as one of the most influential figures in this trade showdown.”
Despite market volatility, the Trump administration has not signaled any willingness to soften its position. Instead, officials argue the tariffs are a critical leverage point to reset decades of what they describe as unfair trade practices.
China Holds Its Line
China, for its part, has remained defiant. Officials in Beijing deny claims of unfair practices and accuse Washington of aggression. The government insists that any resolution must come with “mutual respect and equality,” a stance Trump and Bessent have dismissed as disingenuous.
With talks at a standstill, the economic toll on both sides remains unclear — though analysts warn that consumers, manufacturers, and farmers may soon feel the pinch if tariffs remain in place for weeks or months.
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