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China will levy an 84% tariff on U.S. imports starting Thursday, the country’s Ministry of Finance said Wednesday.
The retaliatory duty was originally set at 34%, matching the new duty the Trump administration announced for the country last week. But the U.S. responded to China’s tariff plan with 50% additional duties, which went into effect Wednesday.
In total, the U.S. is imposing a 104% tariff on China, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a press briefing on Tuesday. That would suggest the total 84% tariff unveiled by the White House this week stacks on top of two 10% duty increases installed in February and March.
China’s Ministry of Finance said the duty increases by the U.S. infringe on the country’s rights and interests. The country’s response comes after it vowed to impose countermeasures and keep fighting the Trump administration’s trade actions. China has previously rolled out tariffs targeting specific U.S. sectors like agriculture, automotive and energy.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a Fox Business interview Wednesday that China’s response “is a loser for them,” emphasizing that China exports more to the U.S. than the U.S. does to China.
“They can raise their tariffs, but so what?” Bessent said.