Updated April 9th 2025, 08:43 IST
On April 7, U.S. President Donald Trump took a major step in the ongoing trade war by announcing a huge 104% tariff hike on Chinese imports. The new tariff officially went into effect at noon ET on Tuesday, with collections starting on April 9, according to White House officials.
As the tariff news broke, an old interview of Trump on The David Letterman Show resurfaced and quickly went viral. In the interview, Letterman asks Trump where his branded products are made, only to reveal that many were produced in China, Bangladesh, and other countries despite Trump’s constant calls to “buy American.” In the video, Letterman holds up a Trump tie, sees the “Made in China” label, and gets a laugh from the audience as Trump awkwardly smiles. The video is now being shared widely, with many pointing out the irony of Trump’s stance on trade versus his past business practices.
Trump’s 104% tariff hike comes after failed negotiations with China. He had previously imposed 10% tariffs on many imports, with some reaching as high as 50%. The new tariff is one of the largest in U.S. history.
According to Fox Business, the White House confirmed that the tariff was enforced because China did not remove its retaliatory actions. The additional tariff will start being collected on April 9.
China has called the U.S. move “blackmail” and promised to continue fighting back. They have imposed their own retaliatory tariffs in response. Despite the ongoing tension, Trump remains hopeful about reaching a deal, saying that China wants an agreement but doesn't know how to start negotiations. He added that he’s waiting for China’s call and believes a deal will eventually happen.
Stock markets had begun to recover after Trump’s earlier tariff announcement, but many global investors are still worried about long-term disruptions to supply chains and rising consumer prices.
Published April 9th 2025, 08:43 IST