President Trump’s unexpected decision to pause higher tariffs on most nations while ramping them up on China has sparked confusion across political lines and drawn mixed reactions from America’s international partners.
Just hours after sweeping tariffs went into effect across dozens of US trading partners, the White House abruptly changed course—offering a 90-day reprieve to countries that hadn’t retaliated, while slapping a staggering 125% tariff on Chinese imports. Trump framed the decision as a show of strength, claiming it would pressure Beijing into a fairer deal.
But lawmakers from both parties weren’t convinced. Senator Chuck Schumer called it a sign Trump was “reeling under pressure,” while Republican Senator Tom Cotton warned that any American investor doing business with China should expect no protection from Congress.
Outside the US, allies welcomed the pause but remained wary. A UK government spokesperson emphasized that a trade war benefits no one, and officials in Brussels quietly noted that the EU had avoided harsher penalties only because its own retaliatory tariffs weren’t yet active.
China’s response was defiant. Hours after Washington’s escalation, Beijing raised its own tariffs on US goods from 34% to 84%, accusing the US of “bullying” and abandoning the principles of fair trade. Chinese officials insisted any negotiation must be rooted in mutual respect, not unilateral threats.
For many observers, Trump’s reversal revealed more uncertainty than strategy. While markets surged—temporarily reassured by the softened tone—economists and diplomats alike questioned whether the administration had a clear endgame in sight. The broader risk of a drawn-out trade war, particularly with China, remains firmly in place.
