Trump Warns No Country is Safe from Tariff Hikes Amid Escalating U.S.-China Trade Tensions

Washington, D.C.:  U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning, declaring that “no country is safe from the threat of tariffs” as the global trade landscape becomes increasingly volatile.

Targeting Chinese imports, Trump reignited a global tariff escalation, prompting swift retaliatory measures from Beijing. The tit-for-tat approach has raised U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods by up to 145%, while China has responded with 125% tariffs on American imports.

Though the U.S. granted temporary 90-day tariff exemptions on key consumer electronics like smartphones, laptops, and semiconductors, Trump emphasized that these exemptions are short-term and strategic. “This is not permanent. We’re reviewing many items for new tariffs,” Trump stated via his Truth Social platform.

He added, “Not just China, but any country that treats us unfairly in trade will face consequences.”

Despite this limited relief, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection later announced a 145% tariff on a wide range of electronics imported from China, while semiconductors remained exempt from the steep hike, potentially benefiting tech giants like Apple, NVIDIA, and Dell.

Beijing’s Commerce Ministry dismissed the U.S. exemptions as “a minor step,” insisting that the entire tariff strategy should be “completely reversed.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that tariffs on semiconductors could be implemented within a couple of months, adding that pharmaceuticals might also be subject to new, non-reciprocal tariffs.

President Trump is expected to reveal “very specific details” about national security-related tariffs next week. He aims to eliminate trade imbalances through what he calls a “zero-asymmetry” tariff policy.

Meanwhile, U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer confirmed that no direct talks are currently planned between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, though the White House remains “hopeful for future engagement.”