China Strikes Back with 34% Tariffs on all American Imports/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Global leaders are pushing back against sweeping new U.S. tariffs announced by President Trump. China matched the 34% tariff rate and filed a WTO complaint, while other nations seek negotiations or impose countermeasures. As trade tensions rise, some countries are exploring new alliances and market strategies.
China Strikes Back as U.S. Tariff War Escalates – Quick Looks
- China matched U.S. tariffs with its own 34% levy on all American imports.
- Beijing imposed export controls on rare earth minerals critical to tech and defense.
- India and Vietnam explore trade opportunities while preparing for potential damage.
- The EU, Japan, and Taiwan call for dialogue while supporting affected industries.
- Global supply chains shift as nations weigh alliances outside the U.S.
China Strikes Back with 34% Tariffs on all American Imports
Deep Look
As the global economy reels from U.S. President Donald Trump’s sudden and sweeping increase in tariffs, countries are mobilizing to defend their economic interests and reassess trade partnerships. The 34% tariff hike on Chinese imports sparked immediate retaliation from Beijing and rippled through economies across Asia, Europe, and beyond.
China’s response was both swift and strategic. On April 10, China will match the U.S. tariffs with a 34% duty on all American products. In addition, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals vital for manufacturing semiconductors, electric vehicles, and defense equipment. These include samarium and gadolinium, which are critical in aerospace and medical industries.
Further raising the stakes, Chinese authorities suspended poultry imports from Mountaire Farms and Coastal Processing, citing banned substances detected in recent shipments. Moreover, 27 U.S. firms were added to Beijing’s sanctions list, signaling a broader clampdown on American business.
Beijing also filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization, condemning the U.S. action as “unilateral bullying” and warning of destabilizing consequences for global trade norms.
In Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te promised full governmental support for industries hit hardest by the 32% tariffs affecting Taiwanese goods. Taiwan, a major supplier of semiconductors to the U.S., has expressed serious concern about the economic fallout and the broader implications for global tech supply chains.
India, facing a 26% tariff rate, viewed the situation as a double-edged sword. While certain sectors like pharmaceuticals remain exempt, others—especially the diamond and gemstone trade—are now at risk. India’s Commerce Ministry is actively exploring opportunities to capitalize on supply chain disruptions and deepening U.S.-India trade ties, with the goal of expanding bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
Vietnam faces the steepest penalty: a 46% tariff on key exports including electronics, textiles, and seafood. Officials in Hanoi warned the tariffs could devastate bilateral trade and are dispatching Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc to Washington in hopes of securing a compromise. Despite the pressure, Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry emphasized its commitment to maintaining constructive dialogue with the U.S.
In Europe, the response was measured but firm. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized the U.S. approach, calling tariffs a blunt instrument unfit for reforming the global trading system. Speaking from Uzbekistan, she reiterated the EU’s willingness to negotiate but warned that protectionism would ultimately isolate the U.S.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni echoed that sentiment, calling the 20% tariff on European exports “unjust” but not catastrophic. She pledged to meet with industry leaders and advocate for tariff rollbacks in talks with Washington.
Japan, a close U.S. ally, faces a 24% tariff on its exports. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba signaled his readiness to travel to the U.S. for emergency talks, describing the tariffs as a last-resort measure that could have been avoided through diplomacy.
Meanwhile, domestic policymakers in affected countries are rolling out aid and contingency plans. In Taiwan and Japan, governments are preparing support packages and seeking to cushion industries against price shocks. The EU is working closely with its automotive, pharmaceutical, and steel sectors to formulate response strategies and enhance economic resilience.
Experts warn the tariffs could create lasting fractures in global trade architecture. Wang Huiyao, head of China’s Center for China and Globalization, called Trump’s move “self-defeating,” predicting it would drive China closer to trading partners in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. With global alliances in flux, Wang suggested that China could emerge as the new epicenter of international trade.
Von der Leyen made a similar argument from a European perspective, noting that the EU’s unified market of 450 million consumers positions it as a “safe harbor” amid geopolitical instability. She said that in response to U.S. tariffs, Europe would pursue new trade bridges and strengthen intra-EU commerce.
As countries consider the long-term implications, the trade war appears far from over. While some nations aim to mitigate losses through diplomacy, others are preparing for a reshaping of global trade relationships that may leave the U.S. increasingly on the outside.
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