‘Explosive’ Trump tariffs take effect with 104% hike on China as Don says countries are ‘kissing my a**’ to make deals
- China to impose additional tariffs of 84 per cent on US goods
- Who has been impacted by Trump's latest tariffs?
- Trump raises China tariffs to 104%
- China vows 'fight to the end'
- Over 50 countries reaching out to negotiate tariffs
- Jaguar Land Rover pause car shipments to US
- President Trump's reciprocal tariffs revealed
- Auto tariffs start on Thursday
PRESIDENT Donald Trump's explosive tariffs have officially taken effect across the globe - including a crushing 104% hike for China.
Around 60 countries dubbed the "worst offenders" by the US President have been slapped with the huge increases - sparking fears of a global trade war.
Trump has insisted the US is already benefiting from the sweeping tariffs, which he says are bringing in $2billion per day.
And as the strongest wave of tariffs yet came into effect, Trump said world leaders are lining up to "kiss his a**" and make a deal.
He also blasted "trade cheaters all over the globe" as he claimed he was standing up for working Americans.
The President spoke just hours after stoking a bitter battle with Beijing as he imposed the crippling 104% tariffs on all Chinese imports.
China has seen the highest rates, along with Vietnam (46%), Thailand (36%), Japan (24%) and the European Union (20%).
The UK has not faced any further rises beyond the 10% baseline rise which came into effect last weekend.
But despite the president's claims that business is better than ever, the trade war has already wiped trillions off global markets.
The stock market plummeted again on Tuesday after a seemingly optimistic morning.
The S&P 500 dropped 1.6%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 320 points, and the Nasdaq plummeted 2.1% in response to Trump announcing new additional tariffs in his war against China.
China has vowed to "fight to the end" in what's been called a global game of chicken.
However, Trump said Beijing “wants to make a deal, badly, but they don’t know how to get it started”.
Speaking about Beijing's retaliatory tariffs, the President said: "I have great respect for China, but they cannot do this.
"We are going to have one shot at this... I'll tell you what, it is an honor to do it."
Trump coins a brand new word
Donald Trump has coined a brand new word called "PANICAN" to refer to people who he thinks are "weak and stupid" and get panicked easily.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump told Americans not to be a "PANICAN" amid his tariff war.
He said: "The United States has a chance to do something that should have been done DECADES AGO. Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!).
"Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!"
Since Trump posted the term on social media, it has gone viral and received hilarious reactions from users.
Reacting to the new word, a user wrote on X: "Oh phew. When I heard Trump created a new word, I thought that meant we were invading Panama and Canada today.”
While another user said: “Trump switches parties, becomes Panican.”
Read our Trump tariffs blog for the latest updates on Liberation Day...
Stock markets ‘underestimating Trump’, says US Treasury Secretary
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has shrugged off the $6trn market wipeout following Donald Trump’s new tariffs, claiming investors are simply going through an “adjustment process”.
Speaking to NBC, Bessent said: “Markets are organic animals, you never know what the reaction is going to be. We get these short-term market reactions from time to time.”
Despite last week’s dramatic sell-off, he insisted the White House would “hold the course” and argued the trade shake-up would pay off in the long run.
Bessent’s comments follow a turbulent week that saw US markets plunge in response to sweeping new taxes on imports.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stands next to President TrumpCredit: AP Starmer: Europe ‘must rise to meet the moment’ amid Trump tariff fallout
Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to work closely with European allies to help maintain economic stability as Donald Trump’s tariffs send shockwaves through global markets.
Downing Street said the prime minister held calls with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his expected successor Friedrich Merz.
In the conversations, Starmer said Europe “must rise to meet the moment” and committed to joint efforts to “help maintain wider economic stability” in the face of growing turmoil.
Credit: Getty 'Tariffs will definitely stay in place'
US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick has insisted Trump's tariffs will remain in place for "weeks".
He told CBS: "There is no postponing.
"They are definitely going to stay in place."
Over 50 countries desperate to negotiate tariffs, US official reveals
Over 50 countries have reached out to the White House to schedule trade talks since President Trump's announcement, director of the White House's National Economic Council revealed.
Kevin Hassett told ABC News: "They're doing that because they understand that they bear a lot of the tariff."
Netanyahu boasts 'personal connection' with Trump ahead of tariff crunch talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently travelling to Washington DC to meet President Trump for crunch talks on tariffs among other matters.
As he boarded the plane, Netanyahu boasted to reporters that he's "the first international leader that is meeting with Trump" since the tariffs were introduced.
He added that this shows their "personal connection and the connection between our countries that is so essential in this time".
Trump and Netanyahu in February this yearCredit: Reuters Italian PM promises to protect business from wrath of tariffs
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she would act as a shield to protect her country's businesses from Trump's tariffs.
She said in a video message to a congress of the League party: "We did not, of course, agree with the decision of the United States, but we are ready to deploy all the tools - in terms of negotiations and economically - needed to support our businesses and sectors that could be penalised."
Reports have also emerged from Italian media that Meloni could meet Trump in a matter of days for talks.
Warnings from experts that other carmarkers could follow Jaguar Land Rover in pausing shipments to US
Experts have warned that other British carmarkers could follow Jaguar Land Rover and pause US shipments as the industry continues to battle increasing pressure.
Automotive industry expert David Bailey told Sky News: "I expect similar stoppages from other producers as firms take stock of what is unfolding."
Yesterday, Jaguar Land Rover confirmed it was to "pause" shipments to the US.
The auto industry giant revealed it will be taking time to "address the new trading terms" of Donald Trump's tariffs.
A JLR spokesperson said: "The USA is an important market for JLR's luxury brands.
"As we work to address the new trading terms with our business partners, we are taking some short-term actions including a shipment pause in April, as we develop our mid to longer-term plans."
The company released a prior statement on "liberation day" that reassured customers its business was "resilient" and "accustomed to changing market conditions."
Jaguar Land Rover is pausing shipments to the US Tariffs to be imposed next week
Here are the tariffs set to be imposed from 9 April:
- EU: 20 per cent
- China: 34 per cent
- Japan: 24 per cent
- Vietnam: 46 per cent
- South Korea: 26 per cent
- Taiwan: 32 per cent
- India: 27 per cent
- UK: 10 per cent
- Switzerland: 32 per cent
- Thailand: 37 per cent
US and Vietnamese businesses plead Trump to delay 46 per cent tariff
US and Vietnamese businesses have band together to plead with President Trump to delay the planned 46 per cent tariff on Vietnamese goods.
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi expressed their fears to the Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in a bombshell letter on Saturday.
They dubbed the tariff - set to take effect on Wednesday - as "shockingly high".
They said: "A fast and fair agreement would add certainty for businesses and would help to rectify the trade imbalance between the two countries in a manner that benefits both countries."
Pictures: Trump's tariffs bring hundreds of thousands out in mass protests
Credit: Rex 
Credit: The Mega Agency 
Credit: Getty Starmer: 'I'll shelter British business from the storm' amid tariff chaos
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he will continue to push for a key economic agreement with the US to avoid some of Trump's tariffs.
He wrote in the Sunday Telegraph: "We stand ready to use industrial policy to help shelter British business from the storm.
"Some people may feel uncomfortable about this – the idea the state should intervene directly to shape the market has often been derided,” he says.
"But we simply cannot cling on to old sentiments when the world is turning this fast."
Starmer: 'I'll shelter British business from the storm' amid tariff chaos
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he will continue to push for a key economic agreement with the US to avoid some of Trump's tariffs.
He wrote in the Sunday Telegraph: "We stand ready to use industrial policy to help shelter British business from the storm.
"Some people may feel uncomfortable about this – the idea the state should intervene directly to shape the market has often been derided,” he says.
"But we simply cannot cling on to old sentiments when the world is turning this fast."
UK car job losses ‘inevitable’ after Trump’s tariffs, says former Aston Martin boss
Job losses in Britain’s car industry are “inevitable” following Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs, according to former Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer.
Speaking to after Jaguar Land Rover announced a pause in US exports, Palmer called the move “very wise” and warned against acting too fast in a volatile policy environment.
“The last thing you want to do is to ship cars, with the tariff, only for the tariff to be removed later, leaving you with a group of cars that is overpriced,” he said.
“It’s about 40,000 units a quarter for Jaguar Land Rover. That’s a lot of cars to take out of production.
“Tariffs are a very blunt instrument – almost certainly all of the cost gets borne by the consumer, and that means that Jaguar Land Rovers will be more expensive in the US market, which is their largest market.
“All car companies hate uncertainty and so they’ll all be looking for guidance to the government to see whether or not Keir Starmer can manage to negotiate away the tariffs for the UK.”
Palmer said building a factory in the US would take two years and require hundreds of millions of pounds in investment.
He added the tariffs would hurt the US as well: “Nobody wins.”
“Many of the batteries that go into a Tesla, for example, may well be made outside of the US,” he said. “Same is true for General Motors, same is true for Ford.”
Credit: Getty China to White House: 'stop using tariffs as a weapon'
China has hit back hard at Donald Trump’s latest tariff move, urging the White House to stop “using tariffs as a weapon” to suppress its economy.
Beijing’s warning comes after it announced a tit-for-tat 34% levy on US imports, matching the 34% tariff Trump imposed on all Chinese goods.
In a strongly worded statement, the Chinese government said it “has taken and will continue to take resolute measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests.”
The foreign ministry added: “The White House should stop using tariffs as a weapon to suppress China’s economy and trade, and stop undermining the legitimate development rights of the Chinese people.”
China to White House: 'stop using tariffs as a weapon'
China has hit back hard at Donald Trump’s latest tariff move, urging the White House to stop “using tariffs as a weapon” to suppress its economy.
Beijing’s warning comes after it announced a tit-for-tat 34% levy on US imports, matching the 34% tariff Trump imposed on all Chinese goods.
In a strongly worded statement, the Chinese government said it “has taken and will continue to take resolute measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests.”
The foreign ministry added: “The White House should stop using tariffs as a weapon to suppress China’s economy and trade, and stop undermining the legitimate development rights of the Chinese people.”
In case you missed it: the latest roundup on Trump's tariffs
Here’s a quick recap of everything you need to know about Trump's tariffs:
- On 2 April — dubbed “liberation day” by Trump — the US president announced a wave of tariffs that sent markets into a tailspin.
- A baseline 10% tariff hit countries across the board — including the UK — with tougher, reciprocal tariffs reserved for what Trump called the “worst offenders.”
- The baseline tariffs came into force early this morning. The reciprocal tariffs are set to kick in later this week.
- China has slammed the US for “using tariffs as a weapon” and vowed to respond.
- Sir Keir Starmer is holding urgent calls with world leaders to coordinate next steps. Downing Street says he’s also consulting businesses on possible counter measures.
- Leaders around the world are scrambling to steady the ship as Trump’s move triggers economic and political turmoil.
- Protests against Trump, Elon Musk and the US government are being held across all 50 states and major cities overseas today.
- British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has paused exports to the US in response to the tariffs.
Stay with us for rolling updates as this global story continues to develop.
In case you missed it: the latest roundup on Trump's tariffs
Here’s a quick recap of everything you need to know about Trump's tariffs:
- On 2 April — dubbed “liberation day” by Trump — the US president announced a wave of tariffs that sent markets into a tailspin.
- A baseline 10% tariff hit countries across the board — including the UK — with tougher, reciprocal tariffs reserved for what Trump called the “worst offenders.”
- The baseline tariffs came into force early this morning. The reciprocal tariffs are set to kick in later this week.
- China has slammed the US for “using tariffs as a weapon” and vowed to respond.
- Sir Keir Starmer is holding urgent calls with world leaders to coordinate next steps. Downing Street says he’s also consulting businesses on possible counter measures.
- Leaders around the world are scrambling to steady the ship as Trump’s move triggers economic and political turmoil.
- Protests against Trump, Elon Musk and the US government are being held across all 50 states and major cities overseas today.
- British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has paused exports to the US in response to the tariffs.
Stay with us for rolling updates as this global story continues to develop.
Trump will deliver ‘long-term tax certainty’, says US Treasury Chief
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Donald Trump’s economic agenda will bring “long-term tax certainty” as Senate Republicans push forward with their budget plans.
In a statement seen by the BBC, Bessent praised the overnight vote, saying: “Congress is taking smart action to strengthen America’s economy and repeal wasteful government spending.”
He added: “By advancing this budget resolution, the Senate sends a strong signal to every small business and every working family.”
The Senate passed the outline 51-48, largely along party lines. Two Republicans sided with Democrats to oppose it.
The so-called vote-a-rama also saw decisions on Elon Musk’s DOGE-led government cuts and Medicaid. A Democratic push to scrap Trump’s tariffs if they drive up food prices was rejected.
“I look forward to working with House leadership to finish this crucial first step and unlock legislation that strengthens our economic and fiscal foundations,” Bessent said.
Trump will deliver ‘long-term tax certainty’, says US Treasury Chief
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Donald Trump’s economic agenda will bring “long-term tax certainty” as Senate Republicans push forward with their budget plans.
In a statement seen by the BBC, Bessent praised the overnight vote, saying: “Congress is taking smart action to strengthen America’s economy and repeal wasteful government spending.”
He added: “By advancing this budget resolution, the Senate sends a strong signal to every small business and every working family.”
The Senate passed the outline 51-48, largely along party lines. Two Republicans sided with Democrats to oppose it.
The so-called vote-a-rama also saw decisions on Elon Musk’s DOGE-led government cuts and Medicaid. A Democratic push to scrap Trump’s tariffs if they drive up food prices was rejected.
“I look forward to working with House leadership to finish this crucial first step and unlock legislation that strengthens our economic and fiscal foundations,” Bessent said.
ECB Official: ‘Liberation Day’ may not be peak uncertainty
European Central Bank policymaker Isabel Schnabel has warned that Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” may not mark the peak of global uncertainty sparked by his sweeping tariffs.
Speaking at an economic forum in northern Italy, Schnabel said there’s been a “dramatic surge in uncertainty” across the Eurozone — and it may be just the beginning.
“Some people had the view that Liberation Day could be the day of peak uncertainty, but I'm not entirely sure that is the case,” she said.
She added that the ECB will closely monitor the tariffs’ impact on Eurozone growth and inflation in the coming weeks.
Schnabel also pushed back on Trump’s claim that the EU was created to “screw” the US: “Of course the EU was not born to screw the United States, but it was born to make Europe thrive.”
ECB Official: ‘Liberation Day’ may not be peak uncertainty
European Central Bank policymaker Isabel Schnabel has warned that Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” may not mark the peak of global uncertainty sparked by his sweeping tariffs.
Speaking at an economic forum in northern Italy, Schnabel said there’s been a “dramatic surge in uncertainty” across the Eurozone — and it may be just the beginning.
“Some people had the view that Liberation Day could be the day of peak uncertainty, but I'm not entirely sure that is the case,” she said.
She added that the ECB will closely monitor the tariffs’ impact on Eurozone growth and inflation in the coming weeks.
Schnabel also pushed back on Trump’s claim that the EU was created to “screw” the US: “Of course the EU was not born to screw the United States, but it was born to make Europe thrive.”
Copper prices dive despite tariff exemption
Copper prices have sunk over 5% in London trading, even though the metal was spared from Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs.
Despite its exemption, copper dropped to $9,000 (£7,000) per ton on Friday, as market jitters over global economic turmoil rattled traders.
Often viewed as a bellwether for the global economy, copper had been heavily stockpiled in recent weeks amid fears it would be caught in the crossfire of Trump’s trade crackdown.
The US is heavily dependent on copper imports, with Chile supplying 41% and Canada 27% of the total.
Last year, America imported 850,000 tonnes — half of its total consumption.
Copper prices dive despite tariff exemption
Copper prices have sunk over 5% in London trading, even though the metal was spared from Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs.
Despite its exemption, copper dropped to $9,000 (£7,000) per ton on Friday, as market jitters over global economic turmoil rattled traders.
Often viewed as a bellwether for the global economy, copper had been heavily stockpiled in recent weeks amid fears it would be caught in the crossfire of Trump’s trade crackdown.
The US is heavily dependent on copper imports, with Chile supplying 41% and Canada 27% of the total.
Last year, America imported 850,000 tonnes — half of its total consumption.
Starmer: ‘The world as we knew it has gone’ after Trump tariffs
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that “the world as we knew it has gone” in the wake of Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs and growing global instability.
Writing in The Telegraph, Starmer said “old assumptions can no longer be taken for granted” and the new world is “less governed by established rules and more by deals and alliances”.
“It demands the best of British virtues – cool heads, pragmatism and a clear understanding of our national interest,” he wrote.
On tariffs, Starmer said the “immediate priority” is to “keep calm and fight for the best deal”, warning the consequences of a trade war could be “profound”.
“We already have a balanced trading relationship with our American allies and work continues on a new economic prosperity deal. Nonetheless, all options remain on the table.
“I will only strike a deal if it is right for British business and the security of working people. And I will continue to make the case for free and open trade, because turning our back on that now would be a grave mistake.”
He said he’s ready to use “industrial policy” to protect UK firms: “Some people may feel uncomfortable about this – the idea the state should intervene directly to shape the market has often been derided.
“But we simply cannot cling on to old sentiments when the world is turning this fast.”
Credit: Reuters Starmer: ‘The world as we knew it has gone’ after Trump tariffs
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that “the world as we knew it has gone” in the wake of Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs and growing global instability.
Writing in The Telegraph, Starmer said “old assumptions can no longer be taken for granted” and the new world is “less governed by established rules and more by deals and alliances”.
“It demands the best of British virtues – cool heads, pragmatism and a clear understanding of our national interest,” he wrote.
On tariffs, Starmer said the “immediate priority” is to “keep calm and fight for the best deal”, warning the consequences of a trade war could be “profound”.
“We already have a balanced trading relationship with our American allies and work continues on a new economic prosperity deal. Nonetheless, all options remain on the table.
“I will only strike a deal if it is right for British business and the security of working people. And I will continue to make the case for free and open trade, because turning our back on that now would be a grave mistake.”
He said he’s ready to use “industrial policy” to protect UK firms: “Some people may feel uncomfortable about this – the idea the state should intervene directly to shape the market has often been derided.
“But we simply cannot cling on to old sentiments when the world is turning this fast.”
Credit: Reuters
