Trump just took the “Trade War” to a whole new level—“104% tariffs on China” are now live. Stocks are tanking, iPhones might cost hundreds more, and your daily essentials could soon spike in price. But what’s really going on—and “who’s paying the price?” Let’s break it down.
In 2025, Trump revived his tariff strategy to protect the U.S. economy, target China’s trade practices, and combat fentanyl trafficking. It started with a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, quickly doubled, and expanded to all imports. By April 9, some Chinese products faced up to 104% tariffs—the most aggressive move since the 1930s.
The idea is to make Chinese goods more expensive so American-made products look better in comparison. But here’s the problem: most of what people buy—phones, clothes, furniture, electronics—comes from China. So when prices on those jump, it’s you, the consumer, who pays. Economists say this could cost the average American household up to $3,800 more every year just from price increases alone.
Meanwhile, big U.S. companies like Apple and Nike, which rely on Chinese manufacturing, are getting crushed. Apple’s stock dropped nearly 20% in three days, wiping out over $600 billion in value. On the flip side, American steel and manufacturing industries might benefit slightly, and the government earns revenue from the tariffs. But for the global economy, the news is grim—markets are sliding, supply chains are breaking, and a worldwide recession is now a serious risk.
China isn’t backing down either. It’s already placed 34% tariffs on U.S. goods like soybeans and cars, hitting U.S. farmers and exporters hard. Canada and the EU are also responding with their own tariffs. It’s a tit-for-tat trade war, and nobody seems willing to blink.
So while #TRUMP argues this is about American strength, the fallout—higher prices, job risks, and economic uncertainty—is hitting fast. The last time we saw something this big, it helped spark the Great Depression. Let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself.