The White House has confirmed that a 104% tariff on goods imported from China will come into force on Wednesday. China has accused the United States of "blackmail" and Washington says that the tax levies announced were bringing many countries to the negotiating table. We hear from a former US ambassador to China, Gary Locke.

Also in the programme: at least forty-four people have died after a roof collapsed at a music venue in the Dominican Republic; and a full-sized digital scan of the Titanic has given experts new insight into the ship.

(Photo: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (C) speaks to reporters during a press briefing in the Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, 08 April 2025. Credit: JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

China has accused the United States of "blackmail" after President Trump threatened to slap an extra 50% tariff on Chinese imports.

On Monday, Trump gave China until Tuesday to scrap its 34% counter tariff or face an additional 50% tax on goods imported into the US, meaning US companies could face a total rate of 104% on Chinese imports. China has said it will "fight to the end" as it called Trump's moves "bullying".

Also in the programme: Is a new 'Iran Deal' possible as talks between the US and Iran are announced?; and how Madonna and Elton John have apparently 'buried the hatchet'.

(Photo shows China's president Xi Jinping speaks during a meeting in Beijing, China on 28 March 2025. Credit: Ken Ishii/EPA)

Donald Trump threatens China with additional 50% tariffs if Beijing does not withdraw its 34% retaliatory tariffs on Washington. If imposed, it could leave some US companies bringing in certain goods from China facing a 104% tax. It comes as US markets drop sharply again on opening, while Europe's biggest stock markets - including London's FTSE 100 - have all closed over 4% down.

Also in the programme: President Trump has been able to count on the support of Republicans in Congress since his inauguration. But are there signs of growing unease as the markets continue to tumble? And we go to South Africa for the Soccer Grannies World Cup, where the oldest player is over 80.

(Photo: US President Trump meets 2024 World Series Champions - Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington, USA - 07 Apr 2025. Credit: Shawn Thew /EPA-EFE/REX)

Global stock markets have fallen sharply on opening, continuing a global sell-off driven by fears that President Trump's tariffs will cause a recession.

Also on the programme: the Israeli prime minister is in Washington to discuss peace for Gaza as deadly attacks continue; and the scientific breakthrough in Europe that could protect vital honeybees from their worst predator.

(Photo: South Korean dealers work in front of monitors at the Hana Bank in Seoul, South Korea, 07 April 2025. Credit: JEON HEON-KYUN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

After US President Donald Trump imposed a baseline of 10% trade tariffs on most countries, more than 50 of those hit by the taxes have reportedly reached out to his administration to negotiate. US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, however, says steeper tariffs due to be imposed upon such nations will “of course” be implemented. We get reaction from an economist who served in the Biden administration.

Also in the programme: Israel says it made a mistake when it opened fire on a convoy of aid workers in Gaza; and which plays and theatre stars look set to win at Britain’s famous Olivier awards?

(Photo: US President Donald Trump speaks about tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, 2nd April 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

The British government has condemned the detention and expulsion of two of its MPs who had gone to Israel on an official visit. Israel says they were intending to spread hate speech: we hear from the UK government.

Also in the programme: the Israeli army admits its soldiers made what it calls "mistakes" when they killed 15 emergency workers in Gaza; and one Ukrainian man tells us he was conscripted into the army against his will.

(IMAGE: Abtisam Mohamed (left), Labour MP for Sheffield Central, and Yuan Yang (right) Labour MP for Earley and Woodley, have now left Israel after being detained and expelled while on an official visit; CREDIT: House of Commons)

Mobile phone footage released by the New York Times appears to contradict the Israeli account of how Palestinian medics met their deaths in Gaza. The video shows the workers’ medical vehicles with their headlights on and emergency lights flashing. The Israeli military had said the convoy had been advancing suspiciously, without lights on. Also on the programme: President Trump urges Americans to "hang tough", after the biggest falls on US stock markets in years; and the British woman in her 70s who found out she had been swapped at birth. (Picture: Palestinians mourn the medics killed in an Israeli attack on their convoy Credit: REUTERS/Hatem KhaledY/File Photo)

As the world reels from President Trump's trade tariffs, one of Africa's smallest, poorest nations takes one of the biggest hits – we speak to the trade minister of Lesotho. We also hear from a former US defense secretary, on how worried America's 'allies' should be.

Also in the programme: the home city of Ukraine’s President Zelensky suffers a deadly Russian missile attack; and we remember the world famous Malian musician Amadou, of Amadou and Mariam, who has died.

(Photo: Jeans form part of Lesotho textile exports to US. Credit: AFP)

A further plunge in global stock markets as China imposes retaliatory tariffs for President Trump's. The three main US indexes finished the day down more than 5%, in the worst two-day stretch for Wall Street since 2020. Also on the programme: The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the Trump administration will not accept foot-dragging by Russia on peace talks with Ukraine; we'll be in the South Korean capital Seoul where crowds cheered a court ruling confirming the impeachment of the president; and a US tourist arrested for entering a prohibited tribal area in India's Andaman islands. (Photo:A trader works on the floor at the Opening Bell of the New York Stock Exchange in New York, New York, USA, 04 April 2025. Credit: Justin Lane/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

China announces further retaliatory tariffs on imports from the United States, bringing the world closer to an all-out trade war.

Also on the programme: South Korea's president has his impeachment upheld, and we hear from Tanzania on the benefits of the Chagga people's diet.

(Image: U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One to travel to Palm Beach International Airport, at Miami International Airport on 3 April 2025. Credit: Reuters/Kent Nishimura)

LONG The White House has urged investors to trust in Donald Trump as Wall Street continues a global sell-off in response to his tariff announcement. The Dow Jones index is down more than three percent, the dollar has fallen and oil prices have slipped. Shares prices in Europe and Asia closed sharply down. As government officials consider what to do next, we speak to a former US secretary of commerce and an American businessman.

Also in the programme: a BBC team reports from Mandalay, close to the centre of the Burmese earthquake zone; and the UK is to host the women’s football World Cup in 2035

(Photo: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York Credit: JUSTIN LANE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)