WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a series of aggressive tariffs aimed at several nations, including key allies, during a speech in the White House Rose Garden. Dubbed “Liberation Day,” the announcement marks a bold step that could escalate into a full-blown trade war.
Standing before a backdrop of American flags, Trump emphasized his administration’s commitment to protecting U.S. interests. “For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike,” he declared, as the dollar fell one percent against the euro and other major currencies.
The tariffs are particularly severe against China, with a staggering 34 percent levy on goods. The European Union, a critical ally, faces a 20 percent tariff, while Japan is subjected to a 24 percent tax. Trump characterized these measures as a necessary response to what he perceives as unfair trade practices.
While displaying a chart detailing the new tariffs, Trump claimed that he was being “very kind,” imposing only half the rates that those countries have levied on U.S. exports. He introduced a “baseline” tariff of 10 percent that will apply to other countries, including Britain.
The announcement was met with enthusiasm from an audience comprising cabinet members and workers from industries such as steel, oil, and gas, who cheered as Trump insisted that these tariffs would “make America wealthy again.”
“This is Liberation Day,” he proclaimed, asserting that it would be remembered as a pivotal moment in American industry, a day when “America’s destiny was reclaimed.”
The White House confirmed that the baseline tariff would take effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on April 5, while the steeper tariffs on specific nations would begin on April 9.
Experts are predicting a ripple effect as countries respond to the tariffs. Simon Marks, a Washington correspondent for RTHK, noted that many nations might now seek negotiations with the Trump administration to mitigate the tariffs’ impact. “There’s no question that Donald Trump is now presiding over the most protectionist U.S. government that the world has seen since the 1930s,” Marks added.
As the global community watches closely, the implications of these tariffs could reverberate far beyond U.S. borders, potentially altering the landscape of international trade for years to come.
