According to a Bloomberg report, two influential Chinese bloggers shared a slate of measures that authorities are mulling to hit back at the latest tariff threats from Trump, which also include a ban on Hollywood movies and levies on American farm goods.
On Tuesday, the potential moves were posted on the social media pages of people including Liu Hong, a senior editor at Xinhuanet, the website of the official Xinhua News Agency, and separately by ‘Chairman Rabbit,’ the online persona of Harvard-educated Ren Yi.According to reports, US films earned $ 585 million in China in 2024, which accounted for nearly 3.5% of China’s $17.71 billion box office.
Warner Bros. and Legendary’s recent release, A Minecraft Movie, conquered the Chinese box office and even broke the hegemony of local blockbuster Ne Zha 2. However, a ban on American films would cost upcoming releases like Jurassic World: Rebirth, Accountant 2 and the
Mission Impossible sequel hundreds of millions of dollars in the Chinese market.In answer to a question on numerous popular bloggers’ posts on countermeasures against US tariffs, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, “We generally do not comment on online remarks. We have made it quite clear on China’s stance. China will continue to take firm measures to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests.”
Earlier, China lashed out at the US after Trump demanded that Beijing remove its retaliatory tariffs or face an extra 50% levy. Without referring to the American president by name, the Ministry of Commerce stated that it had noted that the US had threatened to impose further tariffs on China.
According to the ministry’s statement, “The US threat to escalate tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake, which once again exposes the blackmail nature of the United States. China will never accept it. If the United States insists on its way, China will fight to the end.”
If imposed, the additional 50% tariff on China could bring the US tariff on Chinese imports to 104%.
“If China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long-term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th,” the President wrote on Truth Social on Monday. “Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated!”
Last week, China announced that it would match Trump’s tariffs by imposing a retaliatory 34% tax on US imports.
