The United States will levy additional 50% tariffs on China starting Wednesday if China doesn’t withdraw its plans for a 34% retaliatory duty, President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post Monday.
China has until Tuesday to back down from new tariffs on U.S. imports that are currently set to go into effect on Thursday, according to Trump. China unveiled the duties following Trump’s announcement last week of 34% tariffs against the country as part of a reciprocal trade strategy, escalating the two nations’ ongoing trade war.
“Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated!” Trump said in the post. “Negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately.”
If Trump imposes the additional 50% tariff, China will respond with countermeasures and continue fighting, according to a spokesperson for the country’s Ministry of Commerce. Specific details on what the countermeasures would entail weren’t provided. All unilateral tariff measures against China should also be canceled, the spokesperson added.
