The threat was real, but the effect of tariffs on another country is a hoax. Generally, tariffs hurt the country imposing tariffs more than the importing country.
I would argue that may be true for 5% tariffs. However 25% tariffs are a different kettle of fish
While the tariffs are in our case always payed by Americans, the payment is voluntary. To avoid the tariff, submit your purchase order to a nontariffed vendor nation. Buy somewhere else and the tariff is irrelevant to the purchaser
An uncollected tariff on China goods means a Chinese vendor lost as sale.
And your statement totally misunderstands trade. It is absolutely wrong. Tariffs are always payed by the importer. Tatiffs are a tax levied by the government of the importing country on goods being imported. A Tariff is an import Duty. An import Duty is a tax on imports.