White House: Additional 104 per cent tariffs on China to take effect Wednesday

"There will be 104 per cent tariffs going into effect on China tonight at midnight," said spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt at a press briefing on Tuesday, reported Anadolu Ajansi (AA).

Leavitt said President Donald Trump believes China "has to make a deal" with the US, and called Beijing's retaliation "a mistake."

According to Leavitt, nearly 70 countries have already contacted Trump's administration to begin negotiations following his announcement last week.

Trump recently declared a 10 per cent minimum tariff on all imports and vowed higher reciprocal tariffs on major US trading partners, including China and the European Union (EU).

Earlier Tuesday, Trump met his trade team and directed them to negotiate "tailor-made" trade deals with every country that approaches the administration.

When asked whether the president might delay the new tariffs, Leavitt said Trump has made it clear he is not considering an extension or a pause.

"As the president said, the reciprocal tariffs, which will continue to go into effect as these deals are negotiated and ongoing, will generate trillions of dollars in revenue for the US," she added.