As the tariff war intensifies, the US tariff on China has climbed to 145%, while China’s tariff on US goods reaches 125%. In response, netizens in China continue to push Trump Tariff-related hashtags to the top of Weibo’s and Rednote’s Hot Search and Hot Topic lists.
Currently, one of the hottest topics is the latest statement from China’s State Council that American goods stand no chance in the Chinese market with the 125% tariff. Indicating that China will ignore further escalation from the United States, refusing to continue the game. The topic “American goods have no possibility of being accepted in the Chinese market” (#美国输华商品已无市场接受可能性#) reached number 2 on the Hot Search list with 58.24 million views. Many netizens find this a declaration of victory that China is being the bigger man by walking away from the game, leaving a triggered US (mainly Trump) having a tantrum by itself.
Other hot hashtags include “Musk not laughing anymore” (#马斯克笑不出来了#), ranking number 2 with 50.36 million views. People mock Elon Musk, among other billionaires in America, for having much of his net value wiped out in the market turmoil. Netizens question why, with all their capital, have these powerful figures not done something about Trump’s tariff spree. Further topics also point to Trump threatening to add tariffs back onto the countries he had paused yesterday if they retaliate. Many in the comment sections attack Trump for being untrustworthy and for the probable significant profits he made from his stock market investments.
However, the negative sentiment appears to be mostly directed at Trump and his administration, with some netizens expressing empathy towards the everyday American: “They have to put up with their leader having fits every day”.
Need to boost your China strategy? Dao Pro delivers bespoke insights on marketing, innovation, and digital trends, direct from Chinese sources. Find out more from our Dao Strategy Team here.
