Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he is pausing new tariffs for 90 days on countries that have not retaliated against the United States. The move comes as more than 75 nations reportedly reached out to U.S. officials in an effort to negotiate trade terms.
During this 90-day window, those countries will face a lowered tariff rate of 10 percent while talks continue. The temporary break is seen as an effort to give international trade partners a chance to come to the table without facing immediate penalties.
But that softer approach doesn’t apply to China.
Trump made it clear that tariffs on Chinese imports are going up immediately, with a new rate of 125 percent now in effect. The president cited what he views as unfair trade practices by China and said the increased duties are a direct response to the country’s actions in global markets.
This split approach highlights Trump’s broader trade strategy; negotiation with some and pressure on others. While countries that haven’t retaliated get a temporary break, China now faces even tougher economic headwinds as trade tensions continue to climb.
