'China played it wrong, they panicked': Donald Trump reacts to Beijing's retaliatory tariff amid escalating trade war

US President Donald Trump reacting strongly towards China levying retaliatory tariffs on American imports on Friday.
He claimed that the Asian nation had "panicked" following its declaration of 34 % tariffs on all US goods in response to his worldwide trade dispute.
"CHINA PLAYED IT WRONG, THEY PANICKED - THE ONE THING THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO DO!" Trump wrote on Truth Social, in all-caps.

This comes as China earlier in the day announced a 34% tariff on all US imports, set to take effect on April 10, in direct retaliation to President Donald Trump’s recent tariff measures during what he called 'Liberation Day'.
Beijing’s finance ministry confirmed that the new duty matches the “reciprocal” tariff Trump imposed on Chinese exports earlier in the week. Additionally, China’s commerce ministry revealed plans to tighten export restrictions on rare earth elements—key materials for semiconductor chips and EV batteries—and announced its intention to challenge the US tariffs through the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Trump, after markets closed on Wednesday, had declared a national emergency to enforce his sweeping policy, which places a minimum 10% duty on most imports. The plan includes higher tariffs on key US allies such as the European Union, Japan, and Israel, with China facing a steep 34%, on top of existing trade restrictions.