The tariff war between the United States and China has just hit another boiling point — and President Donald Trump is turning up the heat with eye-popping numbers.
In his latest salvo, Trump is threatening to increase tariffs on Chinese imports to a staggering 245%, escalating the economic brawl into full-blown trade war territory, Newsweek reports.
The White House justified the drastic move by pointing to China’s retaliatory measures, with officials declaring the tariffs are a direct response “as a result of its retaliatory actions.”
This comes after a flurry of back-and-forth escalations that began with Trump's 145% tariffs on Chinese goods earlier this month — an announcement he dramatically labeled “Liberation Day.”
Beijing hit back fast with 125% tariffs on American imports and a high-stakes ban on Chinese airlines buying from Boeing. That move sent shockwaves through the U.S. aerospace industry, freezing current aircraft orders and slamming the brakes on parts purchases.
China’s message? They’re not backing down.
“Not Afraid to Fight”
In Vietnam, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping didn’t hold back during his diplomatic charm offensive across Southeast Asia.
Speaking to Vietnamese officials, Xi said there would be “no winners” in a trade war and called for the region to “jointly oppose unilateral bullying.” Though he didn’t name the U.S. directly, the target was clear.
Additionally, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian has urged Washington to stop the “extreme pressure” and “blackmailing", warning: “China does not want to fight, but it is not afraid to fight."
“If the US really wants to resolve the issue… it should stop threatening and talk to China on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit,” Lin said.
On Wednesday, China also appointed Li Chenggang as its new trade negotiator in the midst of this tariff war, perhaps signaling a change in tactics from the Asian nation.
Meanwhile, Trump fired off a defiant response from the White House, saying Xi’s regional tour looked more like “trying to figure out, how do we screw the United States of America?”
And he’s still doubling down.
“MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Taking to Truth Social, Trump celebrated his economic crackdown: “The United States is taking in RECORD NUMBERS in Tariffs, with the cost of almost all products going down, including gasoline, groceries, and just about everything else. Likewise, INFLATION is down. Promises Made, Promises Kept!”
He added: “NOBODY is getting ‘off the hook’ for the unfair Trade Balances… especially not China which, by far, treats us the worst!”
Trump denied reports that some products were exempt from his tariff hikes, insisting they were merely moved into different “tariff buckets.” While he later confirmed that certain electronics like smartphones and computers would be temporarily excluded, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick teased that a new “semiconductor tariff” was on the way.
“We are taking a look at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations,” Trump said, framing the moves as a defense against being “held hostage by… hostile trading Nations like China.”
He declared: “We also cannot let them continue to abuse us on Trade, like they have for decades, THOSE DAYS ARE OVER!”
“Stop Whining”
Chinese state media responded with scathing commentary, slamming Trump’s trade strategy and calling out the US economic model.
“The US is not getting ripped off by anybody. The problem is the US has been living beyond its means for decades,” one outlet wrote. “It consumes more than it produces. It has outsourced its manufacturing and borrowed money in order to have a higher standard of living than it’s entitled to.”
The editorial continued: “The US should stop whining about itself being a victim in global trade and put an end to its capricious and destructive behavior… Instead, it should commit itself to working with its trading partners to establish a fair, free, and WTO-centered multilateral trading system that is in line with the times.”
A Global Stand-Off
As China continues its diplomatic tour — flaunting deals in Malaysia, Cambodia, and Vietnam — analysts say President Xi is trying to position China as the adult in the room.
“While Trump seems determined to blow up the trade system, Xi is positioning China as the defender of rules-based trade,” said Stephen Olson, a former U.S. trade negotiator. “Now is really a golden opportunity for China to score that narrative win.”
But Trump doesn’t appear fazed.
His promise? Bigger, better, and stronger than ever.
“The Golden Age of America… will mean more and better paying Jobs, making products in our Nation,” Trump said, “and treating other Countries, in particular China, the same way they have treated us.”