Donald Trump has lashed out at China after Beijing defied the US President's warning against retaliatory tariffs. In a new post shared on the social media platform Truth Social, the US leader gave China an ultimatum, lasting only a few hours, as he threatened to issue "additional tariffs" on Beijing of 50% by April 8, should the country not withdraw its 34% retaliatory levies.

Writing online, Mr Trump said: "Yesterday, China issued Retaliatory Tariffs of 34%, on top of their already record setting Tariffs, Non-Monetary Tariffs, Illegal Subsidization of companies, and massive long term Currency Manipulation, despite my warning that any country that Retaliates against the U.S. by issuing additional Tariffs, above and beyond their already existing long term Tariff abuse of our Nation, will be immediately met with new and substantially higher Tariffs, over and above those initially set.

"Therefore, if China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th. Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated! Negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

Last month, China warned the US that it was ready to go up against the United States, including a trade war.

After the US president announced his long-awaited tariffs, which included imposing 34% on Chinese goods, Beijing decided to do the same to US goods.

China’s retaliatory tariffs are due to begin on April 10, with Beijing’s commerce ministry also saying it will impose more export controls on rare earths, which are materials used in high-tech products such as computer chips and electric vehicle batteries.

Mr Trump’s new levies have sparked economic turmoil both in America and across the world as market panic set in.

In the UK, which has been hit with 10% tariffs, Sir Keir Starmer has said he will be working tirelessly to ensure Britain can carve out an economic prosperity deal.

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