The US–China trade war has escalated dramatically. President Donald Trump increased tariffs on Chinese imports up to **145%**, while President Xi Jinping responded with a **125%** tax on American goods. As the Chinese State Council declared, **“The US’s imposition of abnormally high tariffs on China… is completely a unilateral bullying and coercion.”**

This intense tariff battle reignited after Trump returned to office in January. He initially imposed a **10% tariff on all Chinese imports** on February 4. China hit back days later with **15% tariffs on coal and LNG**, and **10% on oil, machinery, and cars**.

Things boiled over when Trump pushed tariffs to **104% on April 9**, prompting an immediate response. **“Given that at the current tariff level, there is no market acceptance for US goods… China will ignore it,”** the Chinese statement read.

Just one day later, Trump **paused tariffs for 90 days**—but not for China. He included even remote places like an **island inhabited only by penguins and seals** in the exemption.

This “brutal tariff war,” as described by media outlets, shows no signs of ending. With both leaders refusing to back down, the global economic stage braces for further shocks.