Some Shops Clap Back ： “104% Service Fee for American Customers”

Some Shops Clap Back: "104% Service Fee for American Customers"

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to impose an astounding 104% in levies across all Chinese imports on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Tuesday. This comes on top of Chinese tariffs that were in place prior to Trump's second term.

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China was already set to see tariffs increase by 34% on Wednesday as part of Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs package. But the president tacked on another 50% after Beijing didn't back off on its promise to impose 34% retaliatory tariffs on US goods by noon Tuesday, adding an additional 84% in duties.

Earlier Tuesday, China's Commerce Ministry said it "firmly opposes" the additional 50% tariffs on Chinese imports, calling it "a mistake upon a mistake." The ministry vowed to escalate its retaliation on US exports.

While the geopolitical and economic implications are still unfolding, a different kind of reaction has been gaining traction on Chinese social media.

Some small businesses in China—mostly individual vendors like restaurants, cat breeders, and real estate agencies—have begun posting public notices declaring they will start charging American customers a 104% service fee (or 84%, as Wednesday China imposed an additional 50% tariff on imports from the U.S., hiking its levies on American imports to 84%).

One such post from a spicy hotpot restaurant reads:

"Our restaurant will charge a 104% service fee to American customers. If you have any questions, please consult the U.S. Embassy."

These announcements have sparked widespread discussion online. Some netizens expressed support, viewing it as a symbolic response to the U.S. tariff hike. Others questioned the practicality and legality of such a fee, as it's difficult to verify a customer's nationality in day-to-day business operations.

There are also opinions suggesting these posts might function more as a form of domestic marketing, designed to appeal to national sentiments rather than enforce an actual surcharge. So far, there is no confirmed report of any customer having been charged this fee in reality.

As tensions escalate on the international stage, reactions on the ground—whether sincere, symbolic, or strategic—continue to reflect the complex emotions surrounding the trade dispute.

Reference: CNN, CGTN, RedNote

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