Trump Freezes Most Tariffs except on China

U.S President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on all newly implemented “reciprocal” tariffs with the exception of China.

The announcement, made on Truth Social, marked a shift from the administration’s latest hardline rhetoric. Tariffs on all countries affected by the reciprocal tariff structure will return to a standard 10% rate for the upcoming three months. However, tariffs on China have been raised from 104% to 125%, effective immediately.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the tariff charged to China… to 125%,” Trump wrote, adding that the U.S. will no longer accept being “ripped off.”

Speaking to reporters, Trump said the decision came together quickly following discussions with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick at Mar-a-Lago. “We wrote it up from our hearts,” he said, later adding, “You have to have flexibility.”

Bessent characterized the pause as “part of the strategy all along,” suggesting it was intended to encourage countries to negotiate trade terms more seriously. Still, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testified before Congress that he was unaware of the pause until it was publicly announced.