China slaps 34% tariff on US goods after Donald Trump’s move—is global trade at risk? Netizens say ‘headed towards great depression’
After Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 54%, Beijing retaliated with a 34% hike on US imports. The move rattled global markets and sparked outrage online. One user warned: “Now China will eat our lunch… while we’re headed towards the Great Depression.”
In a direct response to US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff measures, China has announced a new 34% tariff on all American goods, which will take effect on April 10. The move comes after China urged the United States to reconsider its latest tariffs, warning that failure to do so would provoke countermeasures aimed at safeguarding its own interests. According to the Commerce Ministry, China firmly opposes the US’s actions and is prepared to respond to defend its economic standing. As tensions between the two major global economies escalate, fears of a prolonged trade war are mounting.
US tariff hike sparks market chaos and global concern
Just a day earlier, President Trump revealed a reciprocal trade plan, enforcing a flat 10% import tariff on all foreign goods entering the US from April 5. For China specifically, the tariff hike is steeper—an added 34%, raising the total duty to 54% on Chinese imports. Trump also signed an executive order targeting the “de minimis” rule, which previously allowed small shipments from China and Hong Kong to bypass customs duties. These moves have shaken global financial markets, causing indexes to plunge and stoking fears of a worldwide economic slowdown.
The administration's actions coincide with an ongoing US Trade Representative review of China’s compliance with the 2020 “Phase 1” trade deal. Under the agreement, Beijing had pledged to increase its purchase of American goods by $200 billion over two years—a promise it fell short of, citing the pandemic’s impact.
China’s counterpunch to hit key US sectors
China’s latest tariffs are expected to deal a heavy blow to major American industries, particularly agriculture and manufacturing. The rising economic tensions are raising concerns over the long-term impact this tit-for-tat battle may have on global trade systems and economic stability.
Meanwhile, the US is imposing various tariffs on other nations as well. Vietnam faces the highest at 46%, with Sri Lanka at 44%, Cambodia at 49%, and Bangladesh at 37%. India, South Korea, Taiwan, and others face duties ranging between 24% and 36%, while countries like the UK, Brazil, and Australia are looking at a flat 10%.
Social media reactions reflect mounting anxiety
The announcement triggered sharp reactions online. One user wrote, “China hits back... To impose 34% retaliatory #tariffs back on US. Their economy’s in trouble, but cornering a cat? It WILL fight back.”
🇨🇳#China hits back...
— AllAboutNAV (@about_nav) April 4, 2025
- To impose 34% retaliatory #tariffs back on 🇺🇸US.
- We have discussed earlier, their economy is already in doldrums. Well, it's like cornering a cat. It WILL FIGHT BACK.
Hmm!!! #stockmarketcrash #niftycrash #TrumpTariffs https://t.co/g6y5BbKaIj
Another joined in: “China hits back and hard. Beijing raises tariffs by 34%, places US entities on export control lists, and labels some ‘unreliable.’ Market sell-offs will intensify as global recession risks soar.”
China hits back and hard. Beijing has imposed an additional 34% tariffs on US goods, sharply intensifying the trade war, placing several US entities on export controls, and designated others as "unreliable." The market sell-off will worsen with heightened global recession risk
— Elisha Bala-Gbogbo (@ElishaBG) April 4, 2025
A third user questioned, “China hits back—announces 34% tariff on US goods in retaliation to Trump’s move. Is the trade war escalating?”
One particularly frustrated user vented, “Trump has dragged us neck-deep into a tariff disaster. China will eat our lunch… and we’re marching straight into a Great Depression. I DARE any of these cowardly chicken shit Republicans to show up at a town hall now.”
Now that Trump has us neck deep in his tariffs debacle, China will eat our lunch… while we’re headed towards the Great Depression.
— Luke (@JDLuckenbach) April 4, 2025
I DARE any of these cowardly chicken shit Republicans to show up at a town hall now…
This tariff war signals deepening tensions, with global markets rattled and fears rising—will diplomacy return before more damage is done?
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Nancy Jaiswal is a journalist who started her career in reporting and has covered both hard and soft news. From serious city news developments to lighthearted lifestyle pieces, she has written on almost everything hapenning in India (except maybe alien invasions—yet!). For her, writing isn’t just work; it’s a passion, an obsession, and sometimes the reason she forgets to reply to texts.
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