Tariff escalation between the US and China causes billion-dollar impacts and becomes the target of memes on social media
This month, the world turned its attention to Donald Trump’s new economic proposal and its potential impact on international trade.
However, the global response — especially from China — was one of strong rejection.
Since Trump announced new tariffs, Beijing has responded with equivalent measures, and soon the two countries found themselves trapped in an escalation of tariffs and provocations.
The US government initially imposed a 25% tariff on Chinese products, later increasing it to 34% on Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day,” reaching a total of 54%.
It didn’t stop there: Trump raised the tariffs to 145% and then 245% on Chinese goods, while temporarily suspending sanctions against other countries. China, in turn, increased tariffs on US products to 125% and reduced its export of strategic minerals.
These measures are already having a significant impact on the US economy, with consumers and financial markets reporting billion-dollar losses.
Despite the gravity of the economic situation, the incident has become a subject of mockery on social media.
AI-generated images went viral, showing Trump applying makeup to JD Vance in a room decorated in shades of pink. Another image shows Vance applying eyeliner, and he is being dubbed “the eyeliner guy” by Chinese users.
This meme wave is not new: earlier this month, a satirical video went viral on TikTok and Twitter, mocking Trump’s promise to revive American industry through tariffs.
In the clip, workers — many visibly unhappy and overweight — sew clothes and assemble cell phones in makeshift factories in the US.
Another segment shows Trump, Elon Musk, and JD Vance working on sneaker production lines, reinforcing the critical tone.
The video ends with a biting comment using Trump’s famous slogan: “Make America Great Again.”
Weird AI videos and pictures depicting President Trump and Vice President JD Vance are being virally shared on Chinese social media as a response to the ongoing tariff trade war. https://t.co/r61XKvimJD
— m o d e r n i t y (@ModernityNews) April 26, 2025
Source and images: Unilad / X @ModernityNews. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
