Leavitt told reporters that President Donald Trump believes China seems to make a deal with SH.BA, but they “don’t know how to start it”.
The Trump administration is hitting China with tougher tariffs as the country failed to fulfill President 12:00 on Tuesday afternoon to raise its vengeful fees. This is after President Donald Trump insisted that China wanted to “make a bad deal”.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Tuesday that an additional 104% fee for Chinese imports will be set on April 9. At Tuesday’s press conference, Leavitt also reiterated Trump’s belief that China is seeking to make a deal.
Trump says Xi Jinping, the president of China, knows where it is when it comes to tariffs. (Tone molina / Bloomberg through Getty Images / Getty Images)
China refuses to withdraw with tariffs after Trump threatened tougher measures
“He believes China should make a deal with the United States. It was a mistake for China to avenge,” Leavitt told reporters. “The president, when America is punched, he is punching more, which is why there will be 104% fees that take effect in China tonight at midnight.”
Leavitt added that Trump said he would be ‘gracious’ if Chinese President Xi Jinping would try to negotiate a deal.
President Donald Trump holds a chart while giving remarks on reciprocal tariffs during a Rose Garden event, “Make America Rame again” at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2025. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP through Getty Images)
China retaliates with 34% US import fees
China was already expected to see increased tariffs based on Trump’s reciprocal tariff plan. The additional 104% were apparently added due to the country’s refusal to make a deal with the White House.
On April 4, Trump announced a list of tariffs and stated that it was “ERITION Liberation Day”. After the announcement, countries around the globe had mixed reactions. Some looked to negotiate a better deal with the US, while others, like China, wanted to take revenge.
China imposed a 34% reciprocal tariff on US imports and has pledged “war to the end” and said it would not be handed over to tariff threats, which it says is “blackmail”, according to Reuters.
US President Donald Trump attends a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 leaders’ summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque/Photo/Reuters)
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The Trump administration said that non -China market policies and practices have given Beijing “global predominance in major production industries”. The administration also accused China of “decorating the US industry”.
Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturers reportedly warn that profits may fall and are apparently trying to plan for new plants overseas, according to Reuters.
