Trump says no country spared in new tariffs as China tensions rise

Temporary exemptions spark confusion as Trump pledges fresh tariffs on semiconductors and tech goods.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on April 9, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

President Donald Trump made it clear on Sunday that no country would be spared in his sweeping tariff agenda, sending a sharp message as the White House signaled that recent exemptions for China-related tech goods would likely be short-lived. Trump’s remarks confirmed that the global trade war is not just intensifying but becoming a core pillar of his economic policy heading into the next round of tariff escalations.

The statement, posted on his Truth Social platform, comes amid a backdrop of intensifying economic brinkmanship between the world’s two largest economies. Trump says no country is spared from tariffs, a message that is likely to unsettle not only China but also U.S. allies who received temporary reprieves earlier this month.

“NOBODY is getting 'off the hook'... especially not China which, by far, treats us the worst!” Trump posted, directly refuting interpretations that suggested the exemptions granted on Friday represented a softening of his stance.

Temporary exemptions prompt confusion over trade intentions

Just two days earlier, the Trump administration had listed new exemptions on key electronics—smartphones, laptops, semiconductors, and other high-tech components—that primarily originate from Chinese factories. These exemptions briefly calmed financial markets and were perceived as a de-escalation.

However, Trump’s clarification on Sunday suggested that the relief would be fleeting. According to administration insiders, these categories are now being re-evaluated for targeted tariffs as part of a broader national security framework.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed the sentiment aboard Air Force One, saying, “These exemptions were always meant to be temporary. We will have a full list of new tariffs, including on semiconductors, within a month or two.”

Trump himself reinforced that point, stating that tariff rates for semiconductors and critical defense-related goods would be announced “over the next week.”

U.S.–China standoff deepens with no immediate talks planned

The back-and-forth escalation has kept Washington and Beijing locked in a stalemate. Despite Trump saying he is “open to a deal,” his trade representative, Jamieson Greer, told CBS Face the Nation that there are “no current plans” for a presidential meeting between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

China, meanwhile, has accused the United States of practicing protectionism and sowing global economic instability. On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping began a tour of Southeast Asia, using his stop in Vietnam to underscore China’s commitment to multilateral trade.

“Trade wars and tariff wars will produce no winner,” Xi wrote in a Vietnamese newspaper, calling on the region to unite against unilateral trade practices and to protect the global supply chain.

Beijing’s Commerce Ministry also dismissed Friday’s exemptions, calling them “a small step,” and demanded that Washington “completely cancel” its tariff strategy.

Financial markets shaken by ongoing trade volatility

The market reaction to Trump’s announcement has been swift and unpredictable. While Asian stock markets initially rose on the news of the exemptions, Sunday’s statements reversed the mood. The dollar wobbled, government bonds saw a sell-off, and investor confidence in the tech sector weakened again.

Wall Street figures, including Trump’s own financial backers, have begun expressing concern over the policy’s long-term consequences. Several billionaires have openly criticized the tariffs as “economically disruptive” and “politically damaging,” warning that continued instability could erode U.S. market dominance in technology.

Trump’s response has been consistent: domestic manufacturing must be revived, regardless of the cost. He compared the upcoming chip tariffs to past actions on steel and aluminum, noting that “it’s time to make our chips and semiconductors in our own country.”

Tech industry caught in the crossfire

U.S. tech giants such as Apple, Nvidia, and Dell stand to be directly impacted by the evolving tariff landscape. Many of their flagship products are assembled in China, and the uncertainty surrounding exemptions has left companies scrambling to reassess their global supply chains.

Industry analysts say that companies will face two choices: either pass the costs on to consumers or accelerate the shift toward domestic production. Neither option is simple or quick.

“There’s no easy fix here,” said Sabrina Holt, a senior analyst at the U.S. Technology and Innovation Council. “Rebuilding domestic semiconductor infrastructure will take years and billions in investment. Meanwhile, consumers could see rising prices by the end of the year.”

Geopolitical fallout extends beyond China

While China remains Trump’s primary target, his tariff strategy has broader implications. Several key U.S. allies were granted temporary waivers under the 90-day pause. However, Trump has indicated that these waivers are not permanent and could be revoked if trade deals are not reached quickly.

Greer emphasized this point in his Sunday interview, stating, “We’re working around the clock, day and night, sharing paper, receiving offers, and giving feedback to these countries.”

So far, more than two dozen nations have reportedly entered negotiations, hoping to secure bilateral trade agreements before the pause expires.

But for Trump, the central message remains unchanged. His view is that the U.S. has been treated unfairly for decades, and he is determined to reset the global trade balance—even if it comes at a cost.

Semiconductors at the center of tariff war

All eyes are now on the semiconductor industry, which Trump has singled out as the next major battleground. As the foundation for everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to missile systems and AI, chips represent both economic power and national security.

By targeting them, Trump is signaling that this trade war goes beyond economic disputes—it’s a test of technological dominance.

If the promised semiconductor tariffs materialize in the coming weeks, they could reshape the global tech industry. Companies will be forced to reevaluate supply chains, governments will revisit export strategies, and consumers will likely feel the pinch in the form of higher prices or delayed products.

In short, Trump says no country is spared from tariffs, and that message is being heard loud and clear around the globe—from Wall Street and Silicon Valley to Beijing and Brussels.

As the world braces for another round of tariff announcements, the only certainty in this global trade saga is uncertainty itself.