According to CCTV News, on April 2 local time, the White House issued a statement saying that US President Trump declared a national emergency that day to enhance the United States’ competitive advantage, protect US sovereignty, and strengthen US national and economic security.
The statement said that Trump will impose a 10% “base tariff” on all countries, which will take effect at 00:01 a.m. Eastern Time on April 5. In addition, Trump will impose personalized higher “reciprocal tariffs” on countries with the largest US trade deficits, which will take effect at 00:01 a.m. Eastern Time on April 9, and all other countries will continue to abide by the original 10% tariff base. The statement also said that Trump has “modification authority” to increase or reduce tariffs as appropriate.
The statement said that some goods will not be subject to “reciprocal tariffs”, including steel and aluminum products that are already subject to Section 232 tariffs, automobiles and auto parts, goods that may be subject to future Section 232 tariffs, and energy and certain other minerals that the United States does not have. In addition, gold bars, copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and wood products are also not subject to “reciprocal tariffs.”
The statement noted that for Canada and Mexico, goods that comply with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement will continue to be exempted.
It is also reported that when Trump attended an event in the Rose Garden of the White House on April 2, he displayed a chart of tariffs imposed on various countries and regions. The chart shows that the equivalent tariff rate for mainland China is 34%, Taiwan is 32%, the European Union is 20%, Japan is 24%, and South Korea is 25%. For Southeast Asian countries, the equivalent tariff rate for Singapore is 10%, Cambodia is as high as 49%, Laos is 48%, and Vietnam is 46%.
In addition, Trump also announced that a 25% tariff would be imposed on all foreign-made cars , which would take effect the next day.
“Today is Liberation Day in America,” Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social.
At present, several US trading partners have expressed their intention to take countermeasures in response.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU has a strong counter-measure plan and will fight back against the US tariff policy if necessary. Canadian Prime Minister Carney said on April 1 that Canada rejects all attempts to weaken Canada and will retaliate if the US imposes additional tariffs on Canada. Mexican President Sheinbaum said on April 1 that the US tariff policy will have a negative impact on the world economy and Mexico will take measures to protect its people and jobs. In response to the US’s previous announcement of a list that listed Australia’s pharmaceutical and other industries as potential targets of the US tariff policy, Australian Prime Minister Albanese said that Australia would not make concessions to the US and there was no room for negotiation on related issues.
Regarding the US’s additional tariffs, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly stated that China’s position is consistent and firm. There are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars. The US’s unilateral imposition of tariffs seriously violates WTO rules and will not only fail to solve its own problems, but will also be detrimental to both sides and the world.
