Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Apr 10: The already strained economic ties between the United States and China plunged deeper into uncertainty on Wednesday as a full-blown tariff war unfolded, with neither side showing signs of backing down. What began as a tit-for-tat trade dispute has now escalated into a fierce geopolitical standoff with global implications.
US President Donald Trump, in a bold and controversial move, ramped up tariffs on Chinese imports to a staggering 125%, claiming retaliation for Beijing’s failure to respect “the rules of global trade.” This came shortly after China had responded to an earlier 34% hike with identical tariffs on American goods, triggering a fresh cycle of economic aggression.
Trump, addressing the nation through his Truth Social platform, said, “China can no longer rip off the U.S.A. with impunity. These new tariffs will show them we mean business.” Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent backed the move, saying China had exposed itself as “a bad actor on the world stage.”
However, the consequences of this economic brinkmanship are already reverberating. The US-China Business Council has urged both nations to return to the negotiating table, warning that the ongoing tariff war is causing severe damage to businesses, farmers, and consumers across both countries and globally.
The current face-off reflects more than just economic disagreement — it underscores the intensifying rivalry between two global superpowers vying for dominance in technology, currency control, and international influence. Analysts say the standoff has transformed into a "test of political will and resilience."
China, for its part, is holding its ground. Its official media, including People’s Daily, emphasized the country’s preparedness, pointing to its past experience in handling tariff wars and its reduced dependence on American markets. “We have accumulated rich experience in dealing with the US,” read an editorial, adding, “The sky will not fall.”
Echoing this stance, China’s Xinhua news agency stressed that while Beijing does not seek a trade war, it is fully prepared to fight one. “There are no winners in a trade war,” the editorial stated, “but China is not afraid.”
Strategic experts in Washington believe the situation may deteriorate further unless there is a diplomatic breakthrough. Craig Singleton, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, warned, “Each side believes time is on its side. That’s dangerous — because it means no one’s ready to blink.”
As both nations dig in, deploying a wide range of tariffs, export controls, sanctions, and trade barriers, the global economy braces for impact. Whether this high-stakes standoff ends in negotiation or deepens into a long-term economic cold war remains to be seen.