Trump’s-Reciprocal-

Trump flags over 100% auto duties, announces reciprocal levies

 

In his first speech to a joint session of Congress since winning a second term, United States President Donald Trump vigorously defended his tariff policies, contending that the US has been subject to high tariffs from several countries, including India.

“If you don’t make your product in America during the Trump administration, you will pay a tariff, and in some instances, a pretty big one. Foreign nations have taken advantage of us with tariffs for many years, and now it's our time to begin taking them back from those nations,” Trump announced during his speech.

"If you don't make your product in America during the Trump administration, you will pay a tariff, and in some instances, a pretty big one. Foreign nations have taken advantage of us with tariffs for many years, and now it's our time to begin taking them back from those nations," Trump announced during his speech.

 

India Among ‘Tremendous’ Tariffs on US

 

As per a report published in the Hindustan Times, Trump alleged that some countries impose outrageous tariffs on US products.

“On average, the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Canada…have you heard of them? And many other countries charge us incredibly high tariffs versus what we charge them,” he stated.
Focusing on India, Trump pointed out that the country has auto tariffs exceeding 100 percent. He also claimed that China’s overall tariff on American goods are twice what the US imposes on China, while South Korea’s tariffs are four times higher.

 

Reciprocal Tariffs to Take Effect from April 2

 

In a notable trade announcement, Trump revealed that the US would implement reciprocal tariffs on several countries starting April 2. He amusingly noted that he chose to announce this on April 2 to avoid any association with April Fools’ Day.

“I wanted to do April 1st but didn't want it to be seen as an April Fools' joke; it's a significant amount of money…On April 2nd, we have reciprocal tariffs. Whatever tariffs they impose on us, we will impose on them. It's a back-and-forth situation…If they use non-monetary tariffs to block us from their market, we will respond in kind to keep them out of ours,” Trump stated. His announcement was met with a standing ovation from his supporters in Congress.

 

Tariff War Intensifies With Canada, Mexico, and China

 

These new actions come just a day after the US enacted a steep 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, escalating trade tensions with its closest neighbours. The US also increased tariffs on Chinese imports from 10 percent to 20 percent, citing China's failure to curb the production of fentanyl.

At midnight on Tuesday, the US officially put the 25 percent tariff increase on Canadian and Mexican imports into effect, marking the start of a full-blown trade war with its North American partners. However, Canadian energy exports received some relief, being taxed at a reduced rate of 10 percent. Meanwhile, Trump's decision to double tariffs on Chinese goods has raised US tariffs to their highest levels since the 1940s.

With these aggressive measures, the Trump administration has made it clear that it intends to reshape international trade relations in its second term, setting the stage for more economic confrontations.