Trump cites nervousness as reason for pausing tariffs
US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on China, escalating tensions into a full-blown economic showdown between the two global powers.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump declared a 90-day halt on most “reciprocal” tariffs, with China remaining the key exception.
The 78-year-old leader said he decided to ease off on raising tariffs for now because he sensed that the global reaction was becoming tense. “People were getting a little bit yippy,” Trump explained.
“Well, I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line,” Trump told the media at the White House.
Trump pauses tariffs, easing pressure on SA
“They were getting yippy, you know, they were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid, unlike these champions, because we have a big job to do,” he said.
“No other president would have done what I did. No other president “And it had to be done.”
Most countries got a break, but China wasn’t spared. Trump hit Beijing with even harsher tariffs, escalating the clash between the world’s top two economies.
“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately,” the US president said.
“At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable.”
On Thursday, China hit back at Trump tariffs hike, raising duties on US goods.