Understanding Tariffs and Trade Disputes

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Tariffs 关税(guān shuì) refer to taxes imposed by a country's customs on goods entering or leaving through its borders, according to its domestic laws. They serve as a crucial tool for nations to regulate foreign trade, protect domestic industries, and increase government revenue. There are various types of tariffs, such as import tariffs, export tariffs, and transit tariffs. Import tariffs aim to shield domestic industries from foreign competition and boost government revenue. In contrast, many countries reduce or waive export tariffs to encourage exports. Transit tariffs are levied on goods passing through a country's borders to other nations.

关税(guān shuì),noun,tariffs

Example:

The government raised tariffs on imported cars to protect local industries.  
政府提高了进口汽车的关税以保护本地产业。  
zhèng fǔ tí gāo le jìn kǒu qì chē de guān shuì yǐ bǎo hù běn dì chǎn yè.  

High tariffs can lead to trade wars between countries.  
高关税可能导致国家之间的贸易战。  
gāo guān shuì kě néng dǎo zhì guó jiā zhī jiān de mào yì zhàn. 

Tariff enforcement methods vary, including ad valorem, specific, compound, and sliding scale tariffs. Ad valorem tariffs involve levying a percentage of the goods' value, with the tax amount changing with price variations. Specific tariffs impose fixed tax amounts based on the quantity, weight, or volume of goods. Compound tariffs combine ad valorem and specific tariff systems, while sliding scale tariffs adjust tax rates based on price fluctuations.

On April 2, 2025, President Trump signed executive orders at the White House, introducing a 10% "minimum benchmark tariff" against trade partners and higher tariffs on certain partners. On April 8, the U.S. government announced raising the "equivalent tariff" rate on Chinese goods from 34% to 84%. The following day, the U.S. implemented the equivalent tariff policy, with Trump granting a 90-day tariff pause to non-retaliating nations. In response, China increased tariffs on all imported U.S. goods by 50% on April 10 at 12:01 a.m., elevating them to 84%. Additionally, the Commerce Department identified 12 U.S. entities on an export control list and six U.S. enterprises on an unreliable entity list.

Amid global interdependence, trade disputes have no winners, especially between the U.S. and China. It is vital for both countries, given their distinct development stages and economic systems, to respect each other's core interests and major concerns. Dialogue and negotiation are key to addressing disputes effectively.

To safeguard global peace, boost economic growth, and uphold mutual benefit, nations should prioritize equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation, resolving trade disputes through dialogue and negotiations. As emphasized by China, there are no winners in trade wars, and protectionism is not the solution. Rather, countries should strengthen cooperation and work together to build an open world economy.

Furthermore, international organizations like the United Nations should play an active role in facilitating communication and coordination among nations, enhancing global trade rules and enforcement. Only through the collective efforts of the international community can peace and prosperity prevail worldwide. In this challenging era, it is imperative to cherish peace 和平(hé píng), collaborate, and create a better world for future generations.

和平(hé píng),noun,peace

Example:

The two nations finally signed a treaty to maintain peace.  
两国最终签署了条约以维持和平。  
liǎng guó zuì zhōng qiān shǔle tiáo yuē yǐ wéi chí hé píng.  

World leaders gathered to discuss global peace and security.  
世界领导人齐聚一堂,讨论全球和平与安全。  
shì jiè lǐng dǎo rén qí jù yī táng, tǎo lùn quán qiú hé píng yǔ ān quán.  

What are your thoughts on this tariff war? Feel free to leave us a comment.

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

Our learning is different from traditional language learning in a number of ways. Firstly, we use technology to enhance the learning experience and provide personalized learning paths for each student. Secondly, our focus is not just on language proficiency, but also on cultural understanding and practical application of the language.Thirdly, we place a strong emphasis on developing speaking and listening skills, as well as reading and writing.Additionally, we incorporate modern teaching methods and materials, such as multimedia resources and interactive exercises.Finally, our courses are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing students to learn at their own pace and according to their own schedule.
Yes, our website offers courses in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters. You can choose the character set that you want to learn based on your personal preference or learning goals.Our courses are designed to accommodate learners of all levels and backgrounds, so whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, we have resources that can help you improve your Chinese language skills.
Our instructors are highly skilled and experienced experts in Chinese language teaching, with proficiency in multiple languages. They hold at least a bachelor's degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, and possess extensive teaching experience and knowledge. Through a rigorous selection process and ongoing training, our instructors are equipped to provide students with authentic pronunciation, accurate language usage, and cultural background knowledge, all of which are essential for achieving mastery of the Chinese language.
Our Chinese learning method is focused on personalized and interactive one-on-one lessons with a professional teacher. The lessons are conducted live through our online teaching platform, which allows you to see and talk to the teacher. You can schedule the lessons at a time that suits you, and the teacher will tailor the lesson content to your specific needs and goals. During the lesson, you can ask questions and receive feedback from the teacher to ensure you understand and master the knowledge and skills being taught. We also have a student service team and academic coordinator team to assist you with your learning and provide any additional support you may need.Overall, our method is designed to be flexible, personalized, and interactive to help you achieve your language learning goals.
As a first - time student, if you are not completely satisfied with our service, we offer a cancellation policy that allows you to cancel your subscription before the first month. In such cases, we only charge a one - month fee and refund the remaining balance to you as soon as possible.We strive to ensure that our customers are fully satisfied with our service and are committed to providing a hassle - free refund process.
We offer a referral program that rewards both you and your friend with free classes.To participate, simply refer a friend to our program and once they successfully enroll, both you and your friend will receive free classes.We appreciate your support and look forward to helping you and your friend achieve your language learning goals.