Social Media Scrubbed: China Censors Tariff Posts

Level: Beginner • Date: April 11, 2025

Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.

Why Tariff Discussions Are Being Deleted

This week, Chinese social media platforms began censoring posts and comments about new tariffs between the U.S. and China. Many users were discussing how tariffs might affect prices, trade, and jobs. But soon, these posts disappeared. and comments about new tariffs between the U.S. and China. Many users were discussing how tariffs might affect prices, trade, and jobs. But soon, these posts disappeared.

Tariffs are taxes on goods from other countries. When a government adds tariffs, it can make imported products more expensive. Some people worry this could raise prices on everyday items like phones, clothes, and food.

The censorship surprised many users. Some posted screenshots showing that their messages had been removed. Others complained that they could no longer search for “tariffs” or “trade war” on certain apps.

This is not the first time China has controlled online discussions about sensitive topics. The government says it wants to keep the internet “safe and positive.” Critics say it limits free speech and hides important information.

The Bigger Picture: Trade and Free Speech

As global trade tensions continue, many people want open conversations about how these changes affect their lives. But in China, talking about tariffs online just got harder.

This article was inspired by reporting from Reuters and South China Morning Post.

Vocabulary

Tariff (noun) – a tax on goods coming into a country.
Example: The U.S. placed a tariff on Chinese steel.
Social media (noun) – websites or apps where people share content and talk online.
Example: Many people discussed tariffs on social media.
Delete (verb) – to remove something.
Example: The platform deleted the post.
Censorship (noun) – the control of what people can say, read, or see.
Example: The government used censorship to block certain topics.
Import (verb) – to bring goods into a country for sale.
Example: We import many goods from other countries.
Positive (adjective) – good or helpful.
Example: They want a positive online space.
Critic (noun) – a person who disagrees or points out problems.
Example: Critics say censorship hides the truth.
Sensitive (adjective) – difficult or emotional to talk about.
Example: Tariffs can be a sensitive topic.
Screenshot (noun) – a picture of what’s on your screen.
Example: She took a screenshot of the deleted post.
Trade war (noun) – when countries put tariffs on each other’s goods.
Example: The U.S.-China trade war has lasted several years.

Discussion Questions

Why do you think some governments block certain topics online?
How do tariffs affect the prices of everyday goods?
Should people be free to discuss trade and politics on social media?
How does censorship affect public understanding of global events?
Have you ever seen content get removed online? What was it about?

Questions About the Article

What kind of posts were deleted in China?
What are tariffs, and why are they important?
How did people react to the censorship?
Why does the Chinese government say it censors certain topics?
What do critics say about this kind of censorship?

Suggested Phrase

“Sensitive topic” – This is a useful phrase to describe something that may be emotional, political, or difficult to talk about in public.

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