Beijing, April 9, 2025 – Chinese Premier Li Qiang issued a defiant response Tuesday to the United States’ new 104% tariffs on Chinese imports, effective today, signaling Beijing’s readiness to weather the storm of an escalating trade war. Hours before the US levy kicked in at 12:01 AM ET (12:01 PM China time), Li told a Shanghai economic forum, “China is equipped to safeguard its interests,” hinting at retaliatory measures without spilling details.
The tariffs, a 50% hike atop last week’s 34% under Trump’s Section 301 push, follow China’s refusal to lift its own 34% duty on American goods—a deadline Trump set for Tuesday noon. “We won’t bow to coercion,” Li said, per Hindustan Times, accusing the US of “unilateral bullying” that flouts global trade norms. Beijing’s options? Analysts point to curbing US farm imports or tightening rare earth exports—moves that could sting.
Markets braced for impact as Wall Street wobbled and Asian indices dipped (Reuters). Trump’s team claims the tariffs protect American jobs, with 70 countries now pitching trade deals to dodge his 10% global levy. But Li painted a different picture: “This disrupts supply chains and hurts everyone—our door remains open for talks.” China’s exports to the US, already down 10% in 2024 (Bloomberg), face a tougher road now.
For India, it’s a mixed bag. Exporters could snag US market share, but reliance on Chinese components risks cost hikes. “We need agility to pivot,” a Delhi trade expert told The Indian Express. Meanwhile, posts on X reflect global unease—one user quipped, “Trump’s tariff hammer just whacked us all.”
Li’s calm defiance masks a deeper tension. China’s been here before—2018’s trade spat saw tit-for-tat duties—but this round feels sharper, with Trump vowing to “get richer” and Xi Jinping silent so far. As both giants dig in, the real question looms: can the world afford this showdown, or will it spark a rethink before the damage deepens?
