China has begun censoring certain tariff-related content on social media platforms following the implementation of U.S. "reciprocal" tariffs, which include a massive 104% duty on Chinese goods.
Posts criticizing the U.S. and discussing the tariffs have been blocked or removed across popular platforms like Weibo and WeChat.
Hashtags and search terms like "tariff" and "104" were mostly inaccessible on Weibo, with users encountering error messages. In contrast, some hashtags promoting alternative narratives, such as those alleging a U.S. egg shortage, gained significant traction on the platform. State broadcaster CCTV fueled this narrative with a hashtag "#UShastradewarandaneggshortage," mocking the U.S. for imposing high tariffs while supposedly scrambling for eggs.
The censorship also extended to WeChat, where posts from Chinese companies highlighting the negative impacts of Trump's tariffs were deleted, and those posts that remained were marked with a warning that the content "violated relevant laws, regulations, and policies."
Beijing has already announced counter-tariffs in response to the U.S. tariffs and vowed to resist what it views as economic coercion. As China prepares for an extended trade battle with the U.S., internet censorship plays a role in shaping public perception, with content critical of the U.S. being allowed to proliferate, while content that could undermine national interests is removed.
Commentators and analysts within China, including Beijing lawyer Pang Jiulin, have suggested that the country could shift its export focus to other markets like Vietnam and India. He added that if China retaliates with its own 104% tariffs, prices for American goods like Apple and Tesla products would rise, further affecting Chinese consumers.
Despite the challenges posed by the tariff escalation, Chinese authorities have emphasized their resolve to stand firm. Chinese stocks initially tumbled in response to the tariffs, with the Shanghai Composite Index dropping 7% in its worst day in five years. However, markets recovered slightly by Wednesday, supported by government pledges to back local markets.
Prominent commentator Hu Xijin criticized the U.S. approach, calling the Trump administration "delusional" and predicting that the tariffs would go down in history as a mistake. "They are at war not only with the whole world but also with the most basic rules of human society, so their chances of victory are zero," Hu remarked. "Their reciprocal tariffs will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history for future generations to laugh at."
China’s Ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, stated that China is eager to be seen as a partner rather than a rival to the European Union, emphasizing the need for collaboration amidst shifting global dynamics and U.S. trade policies, which he described as "unilateral economic abuse."
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Secretary of Commerce to launch an investigation into the country’s heavy reliance on imported critical minerals.
President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met to strengthen China-Malaysia ties during Xi’s Southeast Asia tour.
Nvidia has announced it expects a $5.5 billion financial impact after new US government export restrictions barred it from selling its advanced H20 AI chips to China without a license.
UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has suggested that the government may consider Chinese investment in British Steel, but he emphasized that any such bids would be subject to thorough scrutiny, particularly due to national security and economic concerns.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to visit Russia on Thursday, ahead of a second round of talks between Tehran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program. According to Russia’s RIA state news agency, Araqchi will meet with senior Russian officials during the visit.
Greece has submitted its long-awaited maritime spatial plan to the European Union, outlining how it will organize various maritime activities such as fishing, tourism, offshore energy, and more.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
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A quiet Thursday afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica turned into something extraordinary, as visitors caught a rare glimpse of Pope Francis — not in his familiar white papal robes, but dressed in black trousers and a striped blanket.
In a dramatic about-face, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on newly implemented tariffs for dozens of countries — a move that eased market turmoil but further escalated tensions with China.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
U.S. President Donald Trump will personally attend a key meeting with Japanese trade officials on Wednesday, signaling his direct involvement in negotiations stemming from his recent wave of tariffs on global imports.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to visit Russia on Thursday, ahead of a second round of talks between Tehran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program. According to Russia’s RIA state news agency, Araqchi will meet with senior Russian officials during the visit.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to visit Russia on Thursday, ahead of a second round of talks between Tehran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program. According to Russia’s RIA state news agency, Araqchi will meet with senior Russian officials during the visit.
Greece has submitted its long-awaited maritime spatial plan to the European Union, outlining how it will organize various maritime activities such as fishing, tourism, offshore energy, and more.
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