Out of nowhere, news hits that U.S. President Donald Trump is slapping a whopping 100% tariff on Chinese goods, set to kick in November 1. But instead of panic, locals just sip their tea and carry on.
This latest U.S.-China spat feels like old news to them, and it's got everyone wondering if the trade war's bark is worse than its bite. Trump issued the threat from the White House, describing China's recent decision to restrict exports of rare earth minerals—essential components for everything from phone batteries to fighter jets—as "very hostile."
Beijing had announced the restrictions just a day earlier, on October 9, as a pushback against fresh U.S. sanctions on Chinese tech firms and new port fees aimed at American-linked ships. This came right after a shaky truce the two sides struck back in May, when tariffs eased up slightly following tense talks.
Now, with a potential Trump-Xi summit looming in South Korea later this month, the whole thing hangs by a thread. Trump even hinted he might skip the meeting altogether, though he later said he's still mulling it over.
Small businesses are slightly concerned about a decline in U.S. sales. China shipped $194 billion worth to America in the first seven months of 2025 alone. Yet the vibe? Resilient. Markets in Shanghai slipped slightly following the news but by afternoon, life rolled on.
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