What happened
President Donald Trump Monday warned China he would slap an extra 50% tariff on top of the 34% import tax he announced last week if Beijing retaliated with its own elevated tariffs. China called Trump's "threat to escalate" a "mistake on top of a mistake" and a form of "blackmail," adding: "China will fight to the end."
Who said what
Trump "appears locked in a high-stakes game of chicken, with the world's economy hanging in the balance," the BBC said. Some nations are "scrambling to make nice with the White House," but China has opted for "retaliation and resistance."
Trump's tariffs are "increasingly alienating" key "corporate titans, influencers and even Republican lawmakers" who have previously boosted his "shock-and-awe presidency," The Washington Post said. A "false dawn" from a rumor of a 90-day tariff pause "fueled a brief rally" in stocks followed by "wild swings," said The Wall Street Journal, an episode that highlighted the "increasing desperation on Wall Street as the trade-war rout of 2025 extends into a new week."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs start Wednesday, and if he follows through on his threat, "U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods would reach a combined 104%," The Associated Press said. That would "increase prices for American consumers" but also "give China an incentive" to "seek deeper relationships with other trading partners, particularly the European Union," which is preparing its own retaliatory tariffs.
-
Has ‘poppy politics’ got out of hand?Talking Point ‘Toxic’ debate over red and white poppies is another front in the culture wars
-
Vladimir Putin’s ‘nuclear tsunami’ missileIn The Spotlight Russian president has boasted that there is no way to intercept the new weapon
-
Crossword: November 11, 2025The Week's daily crossword
-
USDA orders states to ‘undo’ full SNAP paymentsSpeed Read The Trump administration is telling states not to pay full November food stamp benefits
-
Senate takes first step to end record shutdownSpeed Read Eight senators in the Democratic caucus voted with Republicans to advance legislation to reopen the government
-
Trump’s trade war: has China won?Talking Point US president wanted to punish Beijing, but the Asian superpower now holds the whip hand
-
‘This is where adaptation enters’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump ordered to fully fund SNAPSpeed Read The Justice Department is appealing the decision
-
Trump tariffs face stiff scrutiny at Supreme CourtSpeed Read Even some of the Court’s conservative justices appeared skeptical
-
The longest US government shutdown in historyThe Explainer Federal employees and low-income households have been particularly affected by ‘partisan standoffs’ in Washington
-
Democrats seek 2026 inspiration from special election routsIN THE SPOTLIGHT High-profile wins are helping a party demoralized by Trump’s reelection regain momentum
