NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, Mar 5: U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the implementation of reciprocal tariffs against India, China, and several other nations starting April 2, citing long-standing trade imbalances. During his address to a Joint Session of the U.S. Congress, Trump criticized the high tariffs imposed by other nations on American goods, labeling the current system as “very unfair” to the United States.
Trump stated that countries such as India, China, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and the European Union have maintained significantly higher tariff barriers against American exports for decades. “Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it’s our turn to do the same. The European Union, China, India, and others charge us much higher tariffs than we charge them. It’s very unfair,” Trump said in his speech Tuesday night.
Trump particularly pointed to India’s high import duties, emphasizing that New Delhi levies over 100% tariffs on American automobiles, making U.S. exports less competitive. The announcement comes just weeks after Trump reiterated his commitment to enforcing reciprocal trade measures during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington last month.
In his address, Trump also criticized China and South Korea, stating that China imposes double the average tariffs on U.S. goods, while South Korea’s tariffs are four times higher. “We provide South Korea with substantial military assistance, yet they impose much higher tariffs on our products. That is simply unfair,” he remarked.
Trump made it clear that the new tariff policy will be strictly enforced, ensuring that any nation imposing tariffs on American goods will face equivalent tariffs on their exports to the U.S.. He also hinted at potential non-monetary barriers if foreign markets restrict American businesses unfairly.
“They don’t even allow us into their markets. From April 2, we will match their tariffs. Whatever they tax us, we will tax them. If they create barriers to keep us out, we will do the same,” Trump declared, asserting that these measures will generate “trillions of dollars” in revenue and create jobs like never before.
This marks a significant shift in U.S. trade policy, reinforcing Trump’s long-standing agenda of reducing trade deficits and ensuring fairer market access for American businesses. “We have been ripped off for decades by nearly every country on Earth, and we will not let that happen any longer,” Trump concluded.
The announcement is expected to trigger strong reactions from India, China, and other affected nations, with potential implications for global trade relations.