Trump sets record 125% tariff on China, sparks global talks

What do you need to know?

• Donald Trump announced a 125% tariff on China, intended as a response to Beijing's lack of respect for global markets.
• Over 75 countries have reached out to the USA regarding trade negotiations, which, according to the White House spokesperson, demonstrates the strength of the American economy.
• Trump announced a 90-day pause and a reduction of mutual tariffs to 10% for countries that have not retaliated against the USA.

The White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, during recent press conferences, emphasized President Donald Trump's commitment to a trade policy aimed at defending the interests of American workers and businesses.

Leavitt defended President Trump's decision to impose a 125% tariff on China. "Many of you in the media clearly missed The Art of the Deal," she retorted to the journalists.

The White House spokesperson noted that the Trump administration's policy has had the opposite effect of what critics predicted. "[You] clearly failed to see what President Trump is doing here. You tried to say that the rest of the world would be moved closer to China, when in fact, we’ve seen the opposite effect the entire world is calling the United States of America, not China, because they need our markets," she said.

She also stressed that over 75 countries have reached out to the USA regarding trade negotiations, which she believes shows the strength of the American economy and President Trump's leadership.

The Trump administration introduced new tariffs on imports from China, reaching up to 125%.

"Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately," President Trump announced on Truth Social.

"At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable," he emphasized.

Trump also announced that other countries could expect a suspension of the newly introduced tariffs. "Conversely, and based on the fact that more than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR, to negotiate a solution to the subjects being discussed relative to Trade, Trade Barriers, Tariffs, Currency Manipulation, and Non Monetary Tariffs, and that these Countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States, I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately," Trump stated.