Why Do the Tariffs End with "4"?

🧩 Why Do the Tariffs End with “4”?

As all we know the United States has implemented 34% tariff on Chinese imports and in response, China has imposed its own tariffs on U.S. goods, including a 34% tariff on all U.S. imports effective April 10, 2025. ​

And today White House says 104% additional tariffs on China took effect at noon. Collection starts tomorrow.

And more interestingly why these tariff numbers end with magical "4"?

🎯 1. Numerical Symbolism in Chinese Culture

In Chinese culture, the number 4 (四, "sì") is considered unlucky because it sounds very similar to the word for "death" (死, "sǐ").

• So when tariffs end in 4%, it could be seen as a subtle jab or psychological tactic—especially if done by U.S. policymakers to signal economic "punishment" or a hardline stance.

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🧠 2. Calculated Messaging

Governments often use non-verbal cues in trade wars:

• Numbers

• Timing (e.g., applying tariffs on national holidays)

• Product categories (e.g., targeting political base exports like soybeans)

Ending tariffs in 4 could be a way to intentionally provoke or pressure the opposing side—without direct escalation.

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🏛️ 3. Game Theory & Escalation

In trade negotiations, strange numbers like 34%,  54% or 104% might signal:

• “We’re not bluffing”

• “We’re not done increasing yet”

• Or, it could simply be stacked layers of previous tariffs (e.g., 10% + 10% + 34%)

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📉 Bottom line:

While it could be coincidence, the repeated use of tariffs ending in “4”—especially in U.S.-China dynamics—is very likely a symbolic move, possibly leveraging cultural psychology, and meant to send a message beyond just the numbers.