The ongoing tariff tensions between the US and China remain a focal point, with mixed signals from President Trump even as signs of de-escalation emerge.
Reports surfaced on Friday that China had quietly rolled back tariffs on certain US products, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and possibly medical equipment and chemicals, as per Bloomberg. This move appears to ease pressure on China’s tech sector. However, President Trump’s conflicting statements added confusion, with him claiming to have spoken to Chinese President Xi Jinping—an assertion that was quickly denied by Beijing. The Chinese Embassy in Washington responded, stating, “China and the US are NOT having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs. The US should stop creating confusion.”
Later, Trump further muddied the waters by suggesting that tariffs on China could be lifted only if the US received “substantial” concessions in return.
Despite these conflicting statements, signs of a shift in tariff policy are giving Wall Street hope for a broader de-escalation. Recently, China raised import duties on US goods to 125%, while US tariffs on Chinese products have surged to 145%.
Additionally, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted that a US-South Korea trade deal could materialize next week, while Trump expressed optimism about finalizing several trade deals in the coming weeks.
Investors are keeping a close eye on tariff changes, particularly regarding auto parts and consumer technology. Trump is reportedly considering exemptions on some auto parts duties and has ordered an investigation into truck imports, potentially setting the stage for new tariffs.
The baseline 10% tariff that took effect on April 5 remains in place for all affected imports into the US.
Here are the latest updates on the tariff situation:
LIVE Updates:
Saturday, April 26, 2025 – 10:51 AM PDT How Trump’s China Tariffs Could Impact Small US Manufacturers Small businesses are poised to be hit hard by Trump’s China tariffs, especially as essential goods remain difficult to source domestically. Experts suggest that any increase in US production will take years, not months, to materialize, meaning small manufacturers will face higher costs and limited options.
John Arensmeyer, CEO of Small Business Majority, emphasized that the decline of the textile and apparel industries in the US has been ongoing for decades, largely due to cheap overseas production.
Saturday, April 26, 2025 – 8:14 AM PDT Shein and Temu Raise Prices Ahead of New Tariffs E-commerce platforms Shein and Temu have increased prices on many goods in anticipation of new tariffs set to take effect on May 2. These companies, which rely heavily on Chinese imports, previously benefited from the “de minimis” exemption for low-cost shipments. However, with this exemption expiring, businesses will face significant tariff hikes, impacting US consumers.
Saturday, April 26, 2025 – 7:14 AM PDT Tariffs Could Disrupt Stock Market Fundamentals Deutsche Bank’s chief global strategist Bankim Chadha has revised his S&P 500 forecast for the year, attributing part of the revision to the ongoing trade war and its impact on US-China imports and exports. Higher consumer prices from tariffs could lead to slower economic growth, affecting corporate earnings.
Saturday, April 26, 2025 – 5:07 AM PDT US Carriers Prepare for Price Increases Due to Tariffs Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have all signaled that future tariff increases on smartphones may lead to higher prices for consumers. With the potential removal of tariff exemptions on handsets, carriers have acknowledged that any cost hikes will ultimately be passed on to consumers.