Trump upended the world economy last week with sweeping tariffs that have raised fears of an international recession and triggered criticism even from within his own Republican Party.
In response to Trump’s tariffs, Beijing — Washington’s major economic rival — unveiled its own 34 percent duties on US goods to come into effect on Thursday.
The US president on Monday chastised China for not heeding “my warning for abusing countries not to retaliate.”
He said on social media that if China did not immediately back down “the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th.”
With the incoming 34 percent rate and new 50 percent threat, the total additional tariffs this year could hit 104 percent, the White House told AFP.
“Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid!” Trump urged Americans minutes before Wall Street opened. “Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!”
Trump scrapped any meetings with China over its retaliation, but said the United States was ready to open talks with all countries willing to negotiate.
Netanyahu meets Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, becoming the first foreign leader to personally plead for a reprieve from stinging US tariffs that have shaken the world.
Netanyahu and Trump are also set to discuss Gaza, where a short-lived US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas has collapsed, and growing tensions with Iran.
Trump greeted Netanyahu outside the West Wing and pumped his fist, before the two leaders — both wearing dark suits, red ties and white shirts — went inside for a meeting in the Oval Office.
A planned press conference between the two leaders was canceled at short notice without explanation in an unusual move. During his last visit, Netanyahu and Trump both spoke to reporters in the Oval and then held a press conference.
The Israeli premier’s visit is his second to Trump since the US president returned to power and comes at short notice — just days after Trump slapped a 17 percent tariff on Israel in his “Liberation Day” announcement last week.
Trump refused to exempt the top beneficiary of US military aid from his global tariff salvo as he said Washington had a significant trade deficit with Israel.
Netanyahu said on his way to Washington on Sunday that they would discuss “the hostages, achieving victory in Gaza, and of course the tariff regime that has also been imposed on Israel.”
“I’m the first international leader, the first foreign leader who will meet with President Trump on a matter so crucial to Israel’s economy,” he said in a video statement.