Protests break out in China over Trump tariffs, factory workers demand back pay

Factory workers have been protesting in the streets about unpaid wages and objecting to job dismissals after factories squeezed by US tariffs closed.

Published: May 6, 2025 2:42pm

Updated: May 6, 2025 4:17pm

Protests broke out in China on Tuesday over President Donald Trump's tariffs that have started to negatively impact the country's economy. 

Factory workers have been protesting in the streets about unpaid wages and objecting to job dismissals after factories squeezed by U.S. tariffs closed, according to The New York Post.

Some workers are demanding back pay.

About 16 million jobs in China are at risk because of Trump’s145% tariff on imports from China, according to a Goldman Sachs analysis.

A factory worker told The Financial Times that his employer in Zhejiang forced workers to take off two weeks with no pay amid the trade war.

Radio Free Asia reported last month that construction workers in Tongliao threatened to throw themselves off buildings unless they got their unpaid wages.

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