Trump tariffs kick in, China slaps 84% hike on US items – DW – 04/09/2025 | EUROtoday

US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs got here into impact on Wednesday, together with a large 104% obligation on Chinese items.

The new levies additionally focused imports from allies, such because the European Union and Japan, sparking fears of a worldwide commerce battle, with Trump saying the goal nations are “ripping off” the US.

The personalized charges for practically 60 economies supersede the ten% baseline duties that took impact over the weekend.

China, the principle goal, faces the heaviest affect.

In tit-for-tat tariff impositions, China introduced final Friday 34% in extra tariffs on all items imported from the US, beginning Thursday, matching Trump imposing new levies of 34% on China.

Trump responded by including one other 50% obligation after China’s countermeasures, slapping a complete of 104% duties on Chinese items.

The Trump administration says nations like Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam are open to negotiations, with Trump telling fellow Republicans at a dinner on Tuesday night that nations had been “dying” to make a deal.

“I’m telling you, these countries are calling us up kissing my ass,” he mentioned.

The tariffs have rattled markets — wiping practically $6 trillion off the S&P 500.

On Wednesday, Asian markets opened down once more whereas China’s offshore yuan fell to an all-time low in opposition to the US greenback. Oil costs additionally slumped.

Meanwhile, Canada mentioned that its tariffs on sure US auto imports will come into drive Wednesday.