14 April 2025

How China Should Handle Trump’s Tariffs - Analysis

Lizzi C. Lee

China fired back at the Trump administration’s tariff hike, raising duties on U.S. goods to 84 percent—a dramatic increase from the previous 34 percent. The move came just hours after the U.S. imposed its own sweeping increases, bringing total tariffs on Chinese imports to over 100 percent, and was followed with a declaration by U.S. President Donald Trump of 125 percent tariffs today. For Beijing, the political message is unambiguous: The United States is weaponizing trade beyond the realm of economic rationality.

China’s knee-jerk response has been to meet Trump’s threats with resounding resolve and retaliatory tariffs: Official statements and state media editorials insist that the country possesses “sufficient tools” and “full confidence” to respond. But that instinct—while emotionally satisfying—is a strategic misstep.


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