Business
China raises its retaliatory tariff on the US to 84%
New Volvo vehicles waiting for shipment at the Yangtze port, in Nanjing city in east China’s Jiangsu province, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. ( AP)
BANGKOK, April 9, (AP): China again vowed to “fight to the end” Wednesday in an escalating trade war with the U.S. as it announced it would raise tariffs on American goods to 84% from Thursday.
Beijing also added an array of countermeasures after U.S. President Donald Trump raised the total tariff on imports from China to 104%. Beijing said it was launching an additional suit against the U.S. at the World Trade Organization and placed further restrictions on American companies’ trade with Chinese companies.
“If the U.S. insists on further escalating its economic and trade restrictions, China has the firm will and abundant means to take necessary countermeasures and fight to the end,” the Ministry of Commerce wrote in a statement introducing its white paper on trade with the U.S.
The government declined to say whether it would negotiate with the White House, as many other countries have started doing. On Friday, China announced a 34% tariff on all goods imported from the U.S, export controls on rare earths minerals, and a slew of other measures in response to Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs.
Trump then added an additional 50% tariff on goods from China, saying negotiations with them were terminated. Wednesday’s newest measures include adding 11 American companies to a so-called “unreliable entities” list that would bar Chinese companies from selling them dual-use goods.
Among the companies are American Photonics, and SYNEXXUS, both of whom work with the American military. So far, China has not appeared interested in bargaining. “If the U.S. truly wants to resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation, it should adopt an attitude of equality, respect, and mutual benefit,” said Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lin Jian Wednesday.
The paper says that the U.S. has not honored the promises it made in the phase 1 trade deal concluded during Trump’s first term. As an example, it said that a U.S. law that would ban TikTok unless it is sold by its Chinese parent company violates a promise that neither would “pressure the other party to transfer technology to its own individuals.”
Trump signed an order to keep TikTok running for another 75 days last week after a potential deal to sell the app to American owners was put on ice. ByteDance representatives called the White House to indicate that China would no longer approve the deal until there could be negotiations about trade and tariffs.
The paper also argued that taking into account trade in services and U.S. companies’ domestic Chinese branches, economic exchange between the two countries is “roughly in balance.”
It says that China had a trade in services deficit with the U.S. of $26.57 billion in 2023, which is composed of industries like insurance, banking and accounting. Trump’s tariffs were designed to close trade deficits with foreign countries, but those were calculated only based on trades in physical, tangible goods.
“History and facts have proven that the United States’ increase in tariffs will not solve its own problems,” said the statement from the Chinese commerce ministry. “Instead, it will trigger sharp fluctuations in financial markets, push up U.S. inflation pressure, weaken the U.S. industrial base and increase the risk of a U.S. economic recession, which will ultimately only backfire on itself.
Kuwaiti Fawaz Al-Mudhaf appointed director of External Affairs at US-Arab Chamber of Commerce
WASHINGTON, Sept 18: The US-Arab Chamber of Commerce has appointed Kuwaiti national Fawaz Al-Mudhaf as its new Director of External Affairs, in a strategic move aimed at deepening US-Arab economic ties and empowering emerging regional talent.
The announcement, made on Wednesday, reflects the Chamber’s broader vision to enhance cross-border cooperation and nurture young leaders capable of navigating the evolving landscape of global trade and diplomacy.
“This appointment embodies the Chamber’s commitment to developing regional talent that contributes to and enhances cross-border cooperation,” the Chamber stated in a press release. It added that the selection of Al-Mudhaf aligns with the organization’s goal of equipping emerging leaders to adapt to rapid transformations in US-Arab economic and diplomatic relations.
Al-Mudhaf is expected to spearhead the Chamber’s external affairs strategy, focusing on strengthening relations with decision-makers, global companies, and major institutions in both the United States and the Arab world. His leadership will be crucial at a time of shifting global alliances, new trade priorities, and the increasing need for international collaboration.
Expressing gratitude for the appointment, Al-Mudhaf said the role is “both an honor and a responsibility.” He emphasized that the US-Arab Chamber of Commerce is “more than just a business platform,” calling it “a trusted forum for dialogue, mutual respect, and opportunities for joint cooperation that strengthen ties between peoples.”
He affirmed his commitment to the Chamber’s mission, pledging to serve “with all sincerity” and to help consolidate US-Arab partnerships at a time when, he noted, “international communication has become more urgent than ever.”
Chamber President and CEO David Hamod praised Al-Mudhaf’s appointment, stating, “We are extremely proud of Fawaz, who is a fundamental pillar of the Chamber’s team. He is a fine example of a young Kuwaiti who is leaving an influential mark on the international scene.” Hamod added that Al-Mudhaf’s contributions are a “fundamental pillar in the Chamber’s success story.”
The US-Arab Chamber of Commerce, established over 50 years ago, is widely recognized as the oldest American organization dedicated to advancing US-Arab trade. It is often described as the “first commercial gateway” to the Middle East and North Africa for the United States.
As an independent, membership-based organization, the Chamber boasts over 50 members and partners and is the only American trade body officially recognized by both the League of Arab States and the Union of Arab Chambers. It continues to serve as a preeminent voice for American business interests in the Arab world, working to strengthen economic partnerships across the region.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers opening remarks at the Liberal caucus in Edmonton on Sept 10. (AP)
TORONTO, Sept 18, (AP): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney heads to Mexico on Thursday in an effort to diversify trade as America’s neighbors brace for a review of the free trade deal with United States. The United States-Mexico-Canada trade pact, or USMCA, is up for review in 2026. More than 75% of Canada’s exports and more than 80% of Mexico’s go to the US Canadian Sen Peter Boehm said Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum will commiserate about US President Donald Trump.
“What are they hearing from the Americans, what we are hearing. It’s an opportunity to talk about how to handle the US administration going forward,” Boehm said. Carney is looking to improve relations with Mexico during his two-day visit after some of Canada’s provincial premiers talked last year about cutting Mexico out of any new free trade deal with the US Trump lumped Canada in with Mexico on fentanyl smuggling and promised sweeping tariffs on both countries.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said then that Trump comparing Canada to the Mexico was “the most insulting thing I’ve ever heard from our friends and closet allies, the United States of America.” Boehm said the comments by the premiers, which he deemed out of their lane, upset the Mexicans. “The Mexicans are particularly sensitive on these matters and there was concern about that, no doubt,” Boehm said.
Boehm represented the Canadian government when Sheinbaum was sworn in as Mexico’s president last year and is pushing for more engagement with Mexico. He said relations recently improved, noting Mexico appreciated Carney inviting Sheinbaum to the G7 summit in Alberta in June. Carney also sent his foreign minister as well as his finance minister to meet with Sheinbaum in August.
“A lot of people don’t realize that we trade more with Mexico than we do with the entire European Union, all of the Europe, including the UK,” Boehm said. “It’s a pretty big deal for us.” Mexico is Canada’s third-largest trading partner after the US and China. Canada was Mexico’s fifth-largest trading partner in 2024. But trade with the US remains paramount for both countries and preserving the free trade pact will be critical.
A key exemption for Canada and Mexico shields the vast majority of goods from the punishing duties. Canadian and Mexican companies can claim preferential treatment under the USMCA. But Trump has some sector-specific tariffs, known as 232 tariffs, that are having an impact. There is a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports.
US-Arab Chamber of Commerce names Kuwaiti Al-Mudhaf as new Director of External Affairs
Canada’s Carney heads to Mexico to discuss trade before review of their US trade deal
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