"Americans Pay 104% More"... Chinese Billiard Hall Owner Angry at Trump

Hebei Billiard Hall Owner Advertises "American Customers Must Pay 104% More"
Goes Viral Among Netizens... When Asked "Are There Any American Customers?" Replies "No"

A sign informing of a 104% surcharge for American customers is displayed on an electronic board at a billiard hall in Hebei Province, China. Photo by X Capture

U.S. President Donald Trump immediately implemented a 125% tariff on China without any grace period, prompting a billiard hall owner in China to announce that a service fee would be charged exclusively to American customers.

On the 9th, a video was posted on the social networking service X (formerly Twitter) showing a billiard hall owner in Hebei Province, China, displaying this message. It appears to reflect dissatisfaction with President Trump's tariff war targeting China alone.

The post showed an electronic signboard stating, "From today, our store will charge a 104% service fee to American customers. If you have any inquiries, please contact the U.S. Embassy." When a netizen asked, "Are there any American customers here?" the owner replied, "No." The 104% tariff rate was the highest tariff between the two countries, including targeted retaliatory tariffs, before President Trump's announcement that day. Chinese netizens supported the video by liking it.

Meanwhile, President Trump posted on his social networking service Truth Social, which he created, stating, "China does not respect the global market at all," and announced, "The U.S. will raise tariffs on China to 125% and implement them immediately." Other countries, excluding China, will be subject to a basic 10% tariff, and bilateral tariffs will be deferred for 90 days.