The Wall Street Journal has reported, citing unnamed sources, that Beijing is preparing an opening bid to try to head off greater tariff increases and technology restrictions from the Trump administration, indicating that China is keen to begin trade discussions.
Even though the White House hit China with a 10% levy, starting Tuesday, for its failure to crack down on chemicals used to make fentanyl, neither side appears ready to launch a full-on trade war. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has shown a willingness to negotiate with Trump.
Market reaction
The Australian Dollar (AUD) remains under selling pressure following this headline. At the press time, AUD/USD is down 1.56% on the day to trade at 0.6116.
Tariffs FAQs
Tariffs are customs duties levied on certain merchandise imports or a category of products. Tariffs are designed to help local producers and manufacturers be more competitive in the market by providing a price advantage over similar goods that can be imported. Tariffs are widely used as tools of protectionism, along with trade barriers and import quotas.
Although tariffs and taxes both generate government revenue to fund public goods and services, they have several distinctions. Tariffs are prepaid at the port of entry, while taxes are paid at the time of purchase. Taxes are imposed on individual taxpayers and businesses, while tariffs are paid by importers.
There are two schools of thought among economists regarding the usage of tariffs. While some argue that tariffs are necessary to protect domestic industries and address trade imbalances, others see them as a harmful tool that could potentially drive prices higher over the long term and lead to a damaging trade war by encouraging tit-for-tat tariffs.
During the run-up to the presidential election in November 2024, Donald Trump made it clear that he intends to use tariffs to support the US economy and American producers. In 2024, Mexico, China and Canada accounted for 42% of total US imports. In this period, Mexico stood out as the top exporter with $466.6 billion, according to the US Census Bureau. Hence, Trump wants to focus on these three nations when imposing tariffs. He also plans to use the revenue generated through tariffs to lower personal income taxes.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD: Further gains need more conviction
AUD/USD reversed two-daily pullbacks in a row on Tuesday, staging a decent comeback from Monday’s troughs near 0.6220 to the boundaries of the 0.6300 hurdle propped up by the RBA hawkish hold and firm data from Chinese business activity.
EUR/USD remains offered below 1.0800 ahead of “Liberation Day”
EUR/USD came under extra downside pressure on Tuesday, returning to the sub-1.0800 region on the back of tepid gains in the US Dollar and rising caution prior to Trump’s announcements on Wednesday.
Gold nears $3,100 as fears receded
Gold is easing from its fresh record high near $3,150 but remains well supported above the $3,100 mark. A generalised pullback in US yields is underpinning the yellow metal, as traders stay on the sidelines awaiting clarity on upcoming US tariff announcements.
US Government to conclude BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, and ADA reserves audit next Saturday
Bitcoin price rose 3% on Tuesday, as MicroStrategy, Metaplanet and Tether all announced fresh BTC purchase. However, BTC price is likely to remain volatile ahead of the anticipated disclosure of U.S. government crypto holdings, which could fuel speculation in the coming days.
Is the US economy headed for a recession?
Leading economists say a recession is more likely than originally expected. With new tariffs set to be launched on April 2, investors and economists are growing more concerned about an economic slowdown or recession.
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.