China to Impose 84% Tariffs on US Imports in Response to US Levies

President Donald Trump (L) and Chinas President Xi Jinping chat as they walk along the front patio of the Mar-a-Lago estate after a bilateral meeting in Palm Beach, Florida. — Reuters

President Donald Trump (L) and China’s President Xi Jinping chat as they walk along the front patio of the Mar-a-Lago estate after a bilateral meeting in Palm Beach, Florida. — Reuters
  • Tariffs come after similar levies by US. 
  • Beijing to take “firm and forceful” steps to protect its interests.
  • China’s commerce ministry to blacklist six US AI firms. 

Beijing announced on Wednesday that it would impose tariffs of 84% on imports from the United States, a significant increase from the previous 34%. This decision came just hours after the United States implemented similar levies.

The latest round of tariffs from US President Donald Trump has taken effect, impacting numerous trading partners and imposing substantial duties, including 104% tariffs on Chinese products.

China has consistently voiced its opposition to tariff increases. On Wednesday, the country reiterated its commitment to taking “firm and forceful” measures to safeguard its interests.

The finance ministry stated that “additional tariff rates” on goods originating from the United States would “rise from 34% to 84%”, effective from 12:01 pm on Thursday.

According to the ministry, “The tariff escalation against China by the United States simply piles mistakes on top of mistakes and severely infringes on China’s legitimate rights and interests.”

The ministry further added that Washington’s actions “severely damage the multilateral rules-based trade system.”

In a separate announcement, China’s commerce ministry revealed that it would blacklist six American artificial intelligence firms, including Shield AI Inc. and Sierra Nevada Corp.

The commerce ministry explained that these companies were blacklisted for either selling arms to Taiwan or collaborating on “military technology” with the island.