President Donald Trump has finally revealed when his much-anticipated reciprocal tariffs will start—April 2. He has referred to this day as America’s “liberation day.” This new tariff plan became a central pillar of Trump’s trade policy. It focuses on countries that either charge higher tariffs on American products than we charge to them or undertake in non-tariff trade activities that the Trump administration decries.
During a recent Oval Office briefing, the President told reporters that the U.S. He stressed that it will be “flexible,” but there will be no waiver for future obligations. This remark highlights his strong principled opposition, personally, to letting any special interests off the hook, in response to questions from every special interest lobbying for waivers.
"People are coming to me and talking about tariffs, and a lot of people are asking me if they could have exceptions."
So just because Trump is saying he’s flexible, understand that doesn’t mean he’s changed — at all. He made the case for his even-handedness. That would be true even if he hadn’t already given these same automakers a one-month pass from import duties in early March.
"I don't change. But the word flexibility is an important word."
The plan on reciprocity tariff rates would start giving tariffs to any countries that currently have tariffs imposed on U.S. goods. On top of that, countries with such trade policies as value-added taxes—something the Trump administration has been vociferously against—would be hit by these new duties. This decision is an important step in the larger effort to right trade imbalances and level the playing field for American exports.
Throughout Trump’s presidency, the now-outgoing Republican President lobbied strongly in favor of tariffs. He viewed them as critical instruments to defend U.S. industries and win favorable trade deals. The forthcoming implementation of this plan would be an important step towards realizing his commitment to incorporating these principles.