Donald Trump’s tariffs were a big theme on this week’s Saturday Night Live. And SNL’s “Weekend Update” was no exception.
Trump’s whopping 145 percent tariff on China gave SNL cast member Bowen Yang the perfect opportunity to reprise his role as “Chen Biao,” China’s (fictional) trade minister.
Trump interrupts ‘Jesus,’ riffs on Easter, tariffs, and more in ‘SNL’ cold open
The Chinese trade minister pokes fun at how random a number 145 percent is for Trump’s tariffs before conceding that the tariffs are going to cause “a lot of hardship” for both countries.
“But wait, I’m just wondering which side is more willing to endure hardship for the glory of their nation?” Yang’s Biao said. “The one that’s been around for thousands of years or the one that’s sending Katy Perry to space?”
Earlier in the day, Trump announced that certain products, namely electronics and computers, were now exempt from his reciprocal tariffs on China. Of course, SNL addressed this most recent news, too.
“You can’t live without our technology,” said Yang’s Chinese trade minister, acknowledging the tariff change earlier that day. “But I think we’ll survive without your Newman’s Own salad dressing.”