Trump Responded to China's Trade Escalation, Bessent Says

President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on higher reciprocal tariffs that hit dozens of trade partners after midnight, while raising duties on China to 125%.

The president’s about-face comes roughly 13 hours after higher reciprocal duties on 56 nations and the European Union went into effect, a move that fueled market turmoil and stoked recession fears. Trump came under massive pressure from business leaders and investors to reverse course.

“I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately,” Trump posted Wednesday on social media.

Countries that were hit with the higher, reciprocal duties that went into effect Wednesday will now be taxed at the earlier 10% baseline rate applied to other nations, with the exception of China, according to a White House official. Trump said that more than 75 countries had contacted his administration to negotiate on trade barriers and “have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form.”

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[Everett-leo]

The person who hit first blames the person who was forced to fight back. This is what happen.

[mzozbo]

The world will now trade with greatest country CHINA

[javiermedina]

😂USA thinks the world should do what they say 😂

[tengwaiyee]

Always put the blame on other but never mirror yourself

[england]

I really proud of china 🇨🇳 they really showed all world who’s the real boss. Well deserved to be a champion

[diegosuarez]

So you are saying trump can tariff them, but they cant respond.

[lisamoseley]

You escalated it not them. They just aren't taking any of your shit.

[john]

What a rubbish! Globalization cannot be explained in such simplified way.

[positiveforever]

China has every right to self defense! Respect to China for acting courageously

[JackMadeu]

Are there any normal people in the US?

[miguelsemidei]

China provides only about 80% of the products we use daily . I don't see HOW that will end well .

[loongsiu]

so he's saying: i punch you, and you are not allowed to punch back.

[kkhong]

This guy is actually Donald Trump’s microphone for sure!

[Tony]

Who sent "ALL" manufacturing to China ? 😅

[eddycorvino]

Just because you don't want to call it a trade war doesn't mean it isn't one. But . If it quacks like a duck and looks like a duck!

[AiWaRwithHumans]

A country who put Tarrif on whole world
Vs
A country who is against that country who put tariff on WHOLE WORLD

Sounds like someone is trying to help the world

[tengwaiyee]

You start the trade war and whole world know it. Then here you say china escalate it? Help me understand your statement

[igsigsolutions]

So far they only tell u about the deficit in "goods". What about the deficit for "services"? The US enjoy almost complete monopoly on software/services, and these are the high margin items.

How many t shirts do i have to make to enjoy the same profit for one MS Office software? And this software is on yearly subscription ie gotta pay every year.

The US is enjoying fat profit margins for their services/software. No factory needed. No inventory. Just click click and u pay them every year, for as many years u need to use the services/software.

Has the US told u about this side of the coin?

[aimgod]

His face is screaming pride and arrogance

[Haiyaaaa-fu]

No christmas or cheap clothing this year and people can’t get enough food on the table