On April 9, 2025, Kevin O’Leary, known as “Mr. Wonderful” from the show “Shark Tank,” has now reportedly gently critiqued President Donald Trump for being too lenient with China regarding tariffs on imports.
O’Leary highlighted that while Trump recently announced a 104% tariff on Chinese goods, he believes this rate is inadequate and advocated for a staggering 400% tariff instead.
During an appearance on CNN, O’Leary expressed his frustration with China’s trade practices, claiming they have a long history of violating fair trade rules.
He pointed out that despite being part of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for decades, China has failed to comply with the agreements they made upon joining.
He stated, “They cheat, they steal, they steal IP,” underscoring the challenges faced by American businesses dealing with Chinese firms. O’Leary argued that many Americans have suffered losses due to intellectual property theft by Chinese companies.
Following the announcement of the 104% tariff, the tit-for-tat trade war escalated, with both the U.S. and China imposing retaliatory tariffs that raised the total tax on Chinese imports to 125%.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that this new tariff was a response to China’s disrespect for global markets, signaling that the U.S. would no longer tolerate unfair trade practices.
O’Leary’s bold proposal for a 400% tariff reflects his belief that stronger measures are necessary to hold China accountable.
He voiced that American businesses deserve protection from unfair competition, calling for immediate implementation of significantly higher tariffs.
This perspective aligns with a growing sentiment among many in the U.S. advocating for a tougher stance on China’s trade practices.
[READ MORE: China Takes Aim at U.S. Tourism Industry]
