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DAWN OF THE TARIFFS

‘Explosive’ Trump tariffs take effect with 104% hike on China as Don says countries are ‘kissing my a**’ to make deals

PRESIDENT Donald Trump's explosive tariffs have officially taken effect across the globe - including a crushing 104% hike for China.

Around 60 countries dubbed the "worst offenders" by the US President have been slapped with the huge increases - sparking fears of a global trade war.

Close-up of Donald Trump gesturing.
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Donald Trump appears at the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) dinner on April 8Credit: Reuters
Donald Trump waving at a Republican event.
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Trump said countries were calling up to 'kiss my a**' over the tariffsCredit: AFP
Traders working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
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US and global stocks have taken a hit amid Trump's global trade warCredit: Reuters
Person viewing Taiwan Stock Exchange index showing a significant drop.
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Markets trembled again as tariffs for the 'worst offenders' started to biteCredit: EPA
Worker cleaning near a stock ticker displaying stock prices.
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A worker cleans decoration near electronic board displaying stock prices at the Indonesia Stock ExchangeCredit: AP

Trump has insisted the US is already benefiting from the sweeping tariffs, which he says are bringing in $2billion per day.

And as the strongest wave of tariffs yet came into effect, Trump said world leaders are lining up to "kiss his a**" and make a deal.

He also blasted "trade cheaters all over the globe" as he claimed he was standing up for working Americans.

The President spoke just hours after stoking a bitter battle with Beijing as he imposed the crippling 104% tariffs on all Chinese imports.

China has seen the highest rates, along with Vietnam (46%), Thailand (36%), Japan (24%) and the European Union (20%).

The UK has not faced any further rises beyond the 10% baseline rise which came into effect last weekend.

But despite the president's claims that business is better than ever, the trade war has already wiped trillions off global markets.

The stock market plummeted again on Tuesday after a seemingly optimistic morning.

The S&P 500 dropped 1.6%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 320 points, and the Nasdaq plummeted 2.1% in response to Trump announcing new additional tariffs in his war against China.

China has vowed to "fight to the end" in what's been called a global game of chicken.

However, Trump said Beijing “wants to make a deal, badly, but they don’t know how to get it started”.

Speaking about Beijing's retaliatory tariffs, the President said: "I have great respect for China, but they cannot do this.

"We are going to have one shot at this... I'll tell you what, it is an honor to do it."

President Trump signing energy-related executive orders.
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President Donald Trump smiles as he signs energy-related executive orders at the White House on TuesdayCredit: Reuters
Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping at a bilateral meeting.
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A high-stakes standoff between the world’s top two economies has seen China hit with further Trump tariffsCredit: Reuters
Man looking at stock market prices displayed on an electronic board.
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Markets are struggling to keep up with Trump's tariff stormCredit: AP

Trump coins a brand new word

Donald Trump has coined a brand new word called "PANICAN" to refer to people who he thinks are "weak and stupid" and get panicked easily.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump told Americans not to be a "PANICAN" amid his tariff war.

He said: "The United States has a chance to do something that should have been done DECADES AGO. Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!).

"Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!"

Since Trump posted the term on social media, it has gone viral and received hilarious reactions from users.

Reacting to the new word, a user wrote on X: "Oh phew. When I heard Trump created a new word, I thought that meant we were invading Panama and Canada today.” 

While another user said: “Trump switches parties, becomes Panican.” 

Read our Trump tariffs blog for the latest updates on Liberation Day...

  • What 'Liberation Day' means

    President Donald Trump has described April 2 as "Liberation Day" as he prepares to announce new sweeping reciprocal tariffs.

    A raft of tariffs on imports entering the US is expected to come into effect.

    Trump is making his big announcement at 4 pm.

  • New 104% tariffs on China to take effect

    The White House confirmed to that China missed the deadline to remove its retaliatory tariffs against the United States on Tuesday.

    President Trump's stiff 104% levies on Chinese imports will go into effect on April 9, according to the outlet.

    On Monday, Trump vowed to add an additional 50% tariffs on Chinese imports if Beijing did not pull its 34% retaliatory tariffs against the US.

    President Trump holding a chart of reciprocal tariffs.
    President Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2Credit: Reuters
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