China has raised tariffs on U.S. imports to 125%, intensifying its trade battle with Washington just hours after President Xi Jinping declared “there are no winners in a tariff war.” In a sharp statement, China’s commerce ministry said U.S. goods no longer have a market in China and labeled continued tariff hikes “a joke in the history of world economy.”
Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Spain’s prime minister, urging the EU to join China in opposing U.S. “bullying” tactics — a move seen as an effort to strengthen global alliances. Amid the tensions, Vice President J.D. Vance criticized China's views on X, writing,
There is a category of DC insider who wants to fight an actual war with China but also wants China to manufacture much of our critical supply. This is insane.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 10, 2025
President Trump wants peace, but also wants fair trade and more self-reliance for the American economy.
The tariff hike, from an already steep 84%, signals Beijing’s readiness to “fight to the end,” though it hinted this may be its final escalation. Global markets reacted sharply: Japan’s Nikkei dropped nearly 5%, Hong Kong shares slumped, and oil prices fell for a second week. France’s Macron called the U.S. tariff pause “fragile.”
The temporary suspension of U.S. tariffs for 90 days is both a signal and an opening for negotiation.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 11, 2025
Yet this pause remains fragile.
Fragile, because the 25% duties on steel, aluminum and automobiles, as well as the 10% tariffs on other products, are still in place.…
