Washington: In a dramatic shift in trade policy, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a 90-day suspension of tariffs on most countries, excluding China, in a bid to ease tensions from the ongoing trade war. The announcement came after Trump significantly increased tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%, following China’s imposition of an 84% tariff on U.S. imports, further escalating the conflict between the two largest global economies.
Trump, on his Truth Social platform, revealed that more than 75 nations had reached out for trade discussions, and as a result, he authorized a temporary halt to tariff hikes, reducing the Reciprocal Tariff to 10% for the next 90 days. This move appears to signal a strategic pivot, as the White House aims to isolate the U.S.-China trade dispute, reducing tensions with other global trade partners.
Despite the suspension, the White House issued a stern warning to nations, urging them not to retaliate against U.S. trade policies, stating, “Do not retaliate and you will be rewarded.” The temporary tariff pause offers countries a reprieve from the heightened trade pressure, while maintaining the U.S.’s position on China.
The escalating tit-for-tat between the U.S. and China reached new heights after the U.S. imposed additional tariffs on 60 countries, including China, with levies as high as 104%. China retaliated swiftly by increasing tariffs on U.S. imports to 84%, intensifying the trade war and prompting China to file a formal complaint against the U.S. with the World Trade Organization (WTO), citing violations of international trade rules.
