Trump Suspends Tariffs for Most Nations but Escalates Trade War with China Amid Rising Tensions
In a significant development on the global trade front, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of tariffs for more than 75 trading partners, primarily targeting nations that chose not to retaliate against the broad range of import duties his administration had recently imposed.
The announcement, made earlier today, is being seen as an attempt to de-escalate trade tensions with select allies while simultaneously intensifying pressure on strategic economic rival China.
The reprieve in tariffs comes on the heels of growing international concern over the disruptive effects of Trump’s sweeping trade policy. Several countries, which had refrained from imposing retaliatory measures after the initial wave of U.S. tariffs, are now being offered a window for dialogue and negotiation.
The move is widely interpreted as a strategic step designed to coax these nations into favorable trade agreements or concessions.
However, in sharp contrast to the easing of tensions with many U.S. trading partners, the Trump administration took a markedly harsher stance toward China. Beijing, which had responded to the earlier U.S. tariffs by levying steep retaliatory duties on a wide range of American products, will now be subjected to an even higher tariff burden.
According to the latest White House declaration, tariffs on Chinese goods will surge dramatically, with the total rate of levies now reaching a staggering 125%.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered further insight into the administration’s thinking during a press briefing held shortly after President Trump’s announcement.
He stated that the initial round of tariffs, announced the previous week, were intended not simply as punitive measures but as a calculated effort to bring trading partners to the negotiating table.
Bessent emphasized that the administration’s goal remains fair and reciprocal trade relationships, but that achieving this requires leverage—leverage that the tariffs are meant to provide.
The financial markets responded positively to the announcement, with U.S. stocks surging in afternoon trading. The move provided a temporary sense of relief following several days marked by intense volatility and substantial market losses triggered by uncertainty over global trade dynamics.
While many U.S. allies welcomed the suspension of tariffs, the situation between Washington and Beijing continued to deteriorate. China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao addressed the escalating tensions in a formal meeting with the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
During the meeting, Wang made it clear that China opposes the new U.S. tariffs in the strongest terms and vowed that Beijing would continue to implement countermeasures in response.
According to a summary released by China’s Ministry of Commerce, Wang asserted that the U.S. administration’s actions disregard a fundamental reality—that the United States has, over the years, benefited immensely from its participation in the global trading system.
“The U.S. has long profited significantly from international trade,” Wang said, stressing that the tariffs were both unjust and provocative.
In a stern warning to the U.S., Wang added, “China firmly opposes these measures and has already taken decisive countermeasures. If the U.S. insists on going its way,
China will accompany it to the end.” His statement underscores China’s readiness to continue the tit-for-tat exchange of tariffs despite the economic risks involved.
Despite extending tariff suspensions to more than 75 countries on Wednesday, the Trump administration made a pointed decision to exclude China from this relief. Instead, it proceeded with an aggressive increase in tariffs, singling out the world’s second-largest economy for the sharpest escalation in trade penalties.
The decision to maintain and expand the tariffs on Chinese imports reflects deepening mistrust and competition between the two global powers, whose economic rivalry has reached new heights in recent months.
Reacting to the latest developments, the People’s Daily—China’s official state-run newspaper and a primary mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party—published a strongly worded editorial condemning the U.S. decision. The editorial reiterated China’s longstanding position that it does not seek a trade war but will not tolerate unfair treatment or economic coercion.
“There are no winners in a trade war,” the editorial stated, echoing a phrase often used by international economists and diplomats. “China does not want to fight a trade war, but the Chinese government will never sit idly by while the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people are harmed and deprived.”
The editorial concluded with a clear message that China will not back down: “China will continue to take strong countermeasures against U.S. economic bullying.”
As tensions between the two largest economies in the world continue to rise, the international community watches with growing concern.
Economists warn that prolonged trade hostilities between the U.S. and China could have far-reaching consequences, not only for the two countries directly involved but also for global supply chains, market stability, and overall economic growth.
With negotiations seemingly at a stalemate and both sides unwilling to concede, the trade standoff shows no sign of abating. The coming weeks are likely to prove critical in determining whether diplomacy can prevail—or whether the world is headed toward a prolonged and costly trade war with unpredictable consequences.
