Trump Tariffs Live Updates: Mexico and Canada Secure Agreement, China Tariffs Set to Begin Tuesday

Ja Ian Chong, a political science professor at the National University of Singapore, pointed out that most of the tariffs being discussed by President Trump would impact consumer goods, which make up the largest portion of China’s exports to the U.S.

Although China has kept a calm stance regarding these tariff threats, Chong highlighted that China still has multiple options for responding if it chooses to retaliate.

Chong explained, "China is already facing tariffs from the previous administration, and the Biden administration has not removed these. These new tariffs would simply add to the existing ones."

Despite the pressure, China has expressed confidence that it could weather a 10% tariff. However, China has several strategic tools at its disposal. "Rather than just imposing similar tariffs, China could take action on rare earth metal exports—critical materials used in microchips and batteries that are vital to U.S. industries," he said.

In addition to trade measures, China could also target U.S. investments within its borders. "The U.S. remains significantly invested in China, so Beijing has the option of challenging American interests by limiting or affecting those investments," Chong added.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that President Trump’s tariff threats are actually helping to unite Europe. He stressed that the European Union (EU) must stand strong and earn respect if the U.S. moves forward with imposing tariffs.

Macron also pointed out that these threats are encouraging EU countries to work together more closely on security matters. The pressure, he believes, is pushing Europe to become more active and unified in addressing its shared challenges.

At a summit in Brussels on Monday, EU leaders agreed to increase defense spending to strengthen their ability to face growing threats, including Russia. This decision focuses on filling gaps in military capabilities.

Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, emphasized the need for faster and more effective action, saying, "We've made progress, but we need to do more—better, stronger, and quicker. And we must do it together." However, he did not specify how the increased spending would be financed.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has committed to actively seeking stronger trade relationships with major countries like China, Russia, and Brazil, rather than waiting to see if the U.S. imposes tariffs.

In a speech to Malaysia’s parliament on Tuesday, Anwar addressed the uncertainty in global trade. Despite President Trump’s 30-day delay on tariffs for Canada and Mexico, tariffs on China are still expected to take effect.

“We need to take proactive action,” Anwar said. “Our goal is to expand our network of trading partners and move forward with more aggressive trade strategies.”

As President Trump’s 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports is set to take effect Tuesday at 00:01 Eastern Time (05:01 GMT), China has voiced its concerns, though its response has been more measured compared to its reactions to tariffs on Mexico and Canada.

Despite a relatively warm start to Trump’s second term, with both President Xi Jinping and Trump describing their recent phone call as “very good,” the new tariffs are seen as a challenge for China, especially as its export-driven economy faces a slowdown.

In a statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce urged the U.S. to focus on addressing its own issues, like the fentanyl crisis, rather than using tariffs as a threat against other countries. The ministry also stated that it would take the matter to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and consider further actions to protect its rights and interests.

China has not revealed the exact nature of these countermeasures but emphasized that the U.S. tariffs violate WTO rules. The ministry firmly declared that China would take strong steps to defend its position.

Senator Bernie Sanders is urging his supporters to “stand up and fight back” against what he sees as the rise of “oligarchy, authoritarianism, and corruption” in the United States.

Speaking in an interview and on social media, Sanders argued that the U.S. economy should benefit everyone, not just the wealthiest individuals like Elon Musk. He expressed concern that the country is going through challenging times and emphasized the importance of protecting democracy during this “unprecedented moment” in American history.

Sanders called on Americans to stay engaged and take action to ensure the country remains true to its democratic values.

China’s Ministry of Finance has officially imposed a 10 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. goods, following the Trump administration's decision to place a similar tariff on Chinese imports.

Further details on the situation will be provided as more information becomes available.