A restaurant in Singapore’s Chinatown ignited controversy this week after posting signs stating that American customers would face a 104% surcharge — a move apparently inspired by the escalating trade war between the U.S. and China.
The signs, written in both English and Chinese, were spotted on the front door of Xie Lao Song, a Chinese cuisine restaurant located on Pagoda Street. “Starting from April 9, Americans will be charged a 104% surcharge when dining at this restaurant,” the notices read, signed off as “Xie Lao Song, Singapore.”
The signs quickly went viral on social media, drawing criticism and curiosity. According to Channel News Asia, the notices have since been removed, and the restaurant declined to comment on the episode.
Related: Trump Tariff Live Updates: U.S. hits China with 145% tariff, MicroStrategy reels
The incident came just as U.S.–China trade tensions escalated sharply.
On April 11, China announced a 125% retaliatory tariff on U.S. goods after President Donald Trump raised U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports to 145% — the highest yet in the ongoing trade war.
In a separate statement, the IMF warned that the “external shock” created by Trump’s tariff blitz is injecting uncertainty into global markets, including struggling economies like Sri Lanka, which is facing its own 44% U.S. tariff.
Crypto markets climbed modestly on the day, shrugging off global macro tensions. Bitcoin traded above $82,700, while Ethereum held near $1,570 with a 1.6% daily gain. Altcoins like Solana, Dogecoin, and Cardano also posted solid gains between 2% to 4%.