By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced Wednesday he would sign “a historic executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world” ranging from 10 percent to 49 percent.
The president told attendees: “April 2, 2025, will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn. For decades our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, and plundered by nations near and far.”
Speaking at a highly choreographed event in the Rose Garden at the White House, the president showed a chart revealing that the United States will charge the 27-nation European Union a 20% tariff, Vietnam a 46% tariff, Taiwan 32%, Japan 24%, India 26%, South Korea 25%, Thailand 36% and Cambodia 49% along with other countries.
China, a nation the Trump administration views as America’s main rival, “charges” the U.S. a tariff of 67% “so the United States will charge China a 34 percent tariff,” Trump said. He did not explain why the figure was lower than what Beijing charges the U.S.
However, Trump had even lower tariffs for Britain, with levies of 10% on all goods imported from Britain, the same as it charges the United States.
During his White House event, the president said the United States would impose “reciprocal tariffs” on “all charges other countries levy” against the U.S., adding that Britain charges the United States its own 10%.
With characteristic showmanship, Trump had U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick join him on the podium with a big chart listing reciprocal tariffs country by country.
EXPLAINING NUMBERS
Trump explained some of the numbers causing headaches in several capitals. He claimed the European Union “rips us off” by charging the US 39% percent in tariffs. “We’re going to charge them 20%, so we essentially charge them half.”
An unseasonal chill wind blew through, yet several people wore MAGA (Make America Great Again) hats.
Trump predicted: “In the coming days, there will be complaints from the globalists and the outsourcers and the special interests.”
It came after Christine Lagarde, the head of the European Central Bank, warned Trump’s planned tariffs will have a negative impact worldwide, with the damage depending on how far they go, how long they last, and whether they lead to successful negotiations.
“It will be negative the world over, and the density and the durability of the impact will vary depending on the scope, on the products targeted, on how long it lasts, on whether or not there are negotiations,” she said.
Yet on what he called “liberation day,” Trump embarked on his trademark “America First” language, suggesting the U.S. will withdraw from the world stage.
“The United States cannot continue with a unilateral policy of economic surrender,” he said. “We have to take care of our people and we have to take care of our people first.”
The White House ensured the garden would be filled with pre-screened, hand-picked supporters during the announcement watched by weary financial markets worldwide: Trump emerged to applause and cheers as the marine band played ‘Hail to the Chief.’ He then declared: “My fellow Americans, this is Liberation Day!”
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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