Historic Announcement: Donald Trump Reveals Comprehensive ‘Reciprocal’ Tariffs

President Donald Trump of the United States has announced his long-awaited “reciprocal tariffs,” a move anticipated to disturb global trade dynamics.

On Wednesday, Trump addressed the public from the White House Rose Garden, draped in large US flags, while signing executive orders that would implement the tariffs.

He positioned the tariff increases as a response to unfair trade practices, depicting the US as a nation exploited even by its closest allies.

“For decades, our nation has been looted, pillaged, raped, and plundered by countries both near and far, whether friends or foes,” Trump stated to an audience comprising manufacturing workers, cabinet officials, and reporters.

“Foreign leaders have taken our jobs. Foreign cheats have ravaged our factories. And foreign scavengers have dismantled our once-stunning American dream.”

However, he declared that this Wednesday would signify a pivotal moment in US history, marking an end to the “vicious attacks” the country had endured.

“April 2, 2025, will be forever remembered as the day American industry was revitalized, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed,” Trump proclaimed.

Citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, Trump announced a 10-percent tariff on all nations, set to begin on April 5.

Next, he disclosed “individualized” tariffs for countries with the greatest trade deficits with the US, which would start four days later, on April 9.

Trump elaborated that his administration calculated these “individualized” tariffs by taking half of what he claimed those countries charged the US for its exports.

“We will charge them roughly half of what they are — and have — been charging us. Thus, these tariffs will not be fully reciprocal,” Trump explained. “I could have opted for that, but it would have been challenging for many countries. We didn’t want to do that.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick presents a chart as President Donald Trump outlines his tariff strategy on April 2 [Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo]

He called upon Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to present a chart illustrating some of the forthcoming tariffs.

The chart indicated that the European Union would be subjected to 20-percent tariffs, while China would incur 34 percent, Vietnam 46 percent, and Thailand 36 percent.

Mexico and Canada, the US’s two largest trading partners and neighboring countries, were conspicuously absent from any tariff discussions.

The White House clarified that these countries would continue to face punitive tariffs aimed at aligning them with Trump’s border security policies.

Goods not covered by the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement would incur a 25-percent tariff, except for energy products, which would be subjected to a 10-percent tariff.

Wednesday’s announcement, though widely anticipated, still sent shockwaves through the international community.

“In summary, this is a historic moment,” commented Dan Ciuriak, director of Canada-based Ciuriak Consulting, acknowledging the isolationist tendencies of the Trump administration.

“I believe this will reshape the global landscape. We may be on the verge of witnessing the emergence of a ‘Fortress North America’,” he added.

Ciuriak pointed out that poorer nations in regions like Southeast Asia could be among the most affected by the anticipated tariffs.

“The developing countries are facing exceedingly high tariffs. The geopolitical fallout from this will be significant,” Ciuriak warned.

“These nations are some of the poorest globally, and the idea that they are prospering at the expense of American workers is not very credible. I don’t anticipate this playing well globally. We will likely see substantial shifts in international relations as a result,” he contended.

A Trump supporter dons a helmet covered with coal mining stickers at the Rose Garden tariff event [Leah Millis/Reuters]

Shortly after Trump’s announcement, international leaders voiced their opposition, denouncing the sweeping tariffs as unjustified.

“The unilateral actions taken today by the Trump administration against every nation globally are unsurprising,” said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a news conference. “But let me be clear: They are entirely unwarranted.”

Australia is subject to a 10-percent tariff under the Trump administration. Albanese, like many leaders, pledged to protect his country’s workers from the effects of these tariffs.

“The administration’s tariffs lack logical foundation and contradict the basis of our nations’ partnership. This is not the behavior of a friend,” he added.

Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin offered a broad statement warning of the potential damage to both global trade relations and the US’s own consumers.

“I firmly believe that tariffs provide no benefit to anyone. They harm the world economy, hurt people, and damage businesses,” he stated. “I therefore deeply regret the US administration’s decision to impose a 20 percent tariff on all goods from the European Union.”

Even Canada, which was exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, expressed its outrage over the US’s broader approach towards longstanding trading allies.

“In this crisis, we must act purposefully and decisively,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated on social media. “My government will combat US tariffs, safeguard Canadian workers and industries, and build the most robust economy in the G7.”

Canada is among the nations that have vowed to retaliate against Trump’s tariffs. Mexico has taken a different stance: earlier on Wednesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum indicated a desire to avoid engaging in “tit-for-tat” tariffs.

Experts assert that tariffs, a type of import tax, often place the financial burden on consumers.

Trump has portrayed his tariffs as a means to reduce trade deficits and to bring foreign manufacturing back to the US. He also indicated that he intends to use the tariffs to help offset the US debt and pave the way for tax reductions.

However, critics argue that trade deficits — the condition when spending on imports exceeds earnings from exports — are not necessarily detrimental. They may reflect consumer habits or a robust currency.

Opponents of the tariffs also contend that establishing new factories in the US will take years, making any economic benefits a distant reality.

Reporting from the New York Stock Exchange, Al Jazeera correspondent Kristen Saloomey highlighted that market volatility has spooked investors this week as they prepared for the tariffs and the economic uncertainty that follows.

“President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement came after US stock markets had closed favorably, immediately driving the futures market into negative territory, foreshadowing a shaky start for Thursday’s markets,” Saloomey reported.

What might follow Trump’s proclamation remains uncertain. Economists are monitoring stock market indicators like the S&P 500 for indications of future trends.

“Market analysts are divided on whether we have witnessed the full extent of this policy’s impact on the markets,” Saloomey explained.

“Some believe that — following a 10-percent drop in the S&P last month — markets had already accounted for the cost of doing business under these tariffs. Others warn that the situation could deteriorate with inflation and even a recession lurking due to these policies.”

Nonetheless, Trump and his supporters have dismissed concerns of an economic downturn. From the Rose Garden, Trump offered a preemptive rebuttal to the foreign leaders who might “complain.”

“To all the foreign presidents, prime ministers, kings, queens, ambassadors, and others who will soon reach out asking for exemptions from these tariffs, I advise: Terminate your own tariffs. Eliminate your barriers. Do not manipulate your currencies,” Trump asserted.

He also implied that the tariffs were relatively lenient, considering the exploitation he believed the US had been subjected to.

“We are being very kind. We’re kind people, very kind,” he stated, adding: “You are not so kind when you get ripped off.”