US president urges calm amid economic turmoil, threatens additional tariffs on China

US President Donald Trump has urged Americans to remain calm and assured the public that the US will continue to be great despite the current economic turbulence.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “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!”

His comments came in response to growing tensions with China over trade practices, Caliber.Az reports. 

Trump also addressed China's recent move to impose retaliatory tariffs, stating, “Yesterday, China issued Retaliatory Tariffs of 34%, on top of their already record setting Tariffs, Non-Monetary Tariffs, Illegal Subsidization of companies, and massive long term Currency Manipulation, despite my warning that any country that Retaliates against the U.S. by issuing additional Tariffs, above and beyond their already existing long term Tariff abuse of our Nation, will be immediately met with new and substantially higher Tariffs, over and above those initially set. Therefore, if China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th. Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated! Negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” 

The remarks come as the US stock market grapples with significant volatility. The past week marked the worst performance for the US stock market since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with stock indices plummeting to their lowest levels since May 2024.

By Naila Huseynova