US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on all “reciprocal” tariffs except those imposed on China.
The 78-year-old politician said the reason why he backed down from imposing higher tariffs on many countries was because people “were getting a little bit yippy.”
“Well, I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line,” Trump told the media at the White House.
Trump pauses tariffs for now, relief for South Africa
“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.”
While most countries can breathe a sigh of relief, China was not so lucky. Trump slapped even more tariffs against China in what has become a full-scale confrontation between the world’s two largest 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.
How will the ‘war’ between US and China end?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
