*By Alisha Haridasani* President Trump said on Thursday he’s “ready” to slap tariffs on every Chinese product entering the United States, deepening the trade war between the world's two largest economies. “I’m ready to go to 500,” the President said in an interview with [CNBC,](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/19/trump-says-hes-ready-to-put-tariffs-on-all-505-billion-of-chinese-.html) referring to the $505 billion of Chinese imports. “I’m not doing this for politics, I’m doing this to do the right thing for our country. We have been ripped off by China for a long time.” In a tweet on Friday morning, after the CNBC interview aired, Trump [said](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1020290163933630464), “The United States should not be penalized because we are doing so well.” The Trump administration earlier this month levied taxes on $34 billion worth of high-tech Chinese goods to penalize the country for alleged intellectual property theft, prompting Beijing to respond in kind. In retaliation, the Trump administration has also identified another round of tariffs on $200 billion worth of goods. The second round of taxes could hike prices of many [popular consumer goods](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-apple/apple-watch-fitbit-could-feel-cost-of-us-tariffs-idUSKBN1KA0E2) manufactured in China, including the Apple Watch and the FitBit tracker.

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US businesses that rely on Chinese imports express relief and anxiety
American businesses that rely on Chinese goods are reacting with muted relief after the U.S. and China agreed to pause their exorbitant tariffs on each other’s products for 90 days. Many companies delayed or canceled orders after President Donald Trump last month put a 145% tariff on items made in China. Importers still face relatively high tariffs, however, as well as uncertainty over what will happen in the coming weeks and months. The temporary truce was announced as retailers and their suppliers are looking to finalize their plans and orders for the holiday shopping season. They’re concerned a mad scramble to get goods onto ships will lead to bottlenecks and increased shipping costs.
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