Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al-Houthi: We find ourselves in the most sacred battle and the greatest position. We do not consider the sacrifices to be wasted losses; rather, we have given everything for the sake of this stance.
Al-Houthi: The Zionist scheme is undoubtedly a plot to enslave and exploit this nation. This is a fact, not an exaggeration.
Al-Houthi: Great sacrifice in the path of God only increases our steadfastness, determination, certainty, resilience, and cohesion.
Al-Houthi: The Zionist crime confirms the importance of Yemen's conscious and insightful position based on constants, values, and human ethics.
Al-Houthi: The Israeli enemy is a criminal who proves its brutality and monstrosity through all its criminal practices, void of any controls.
Al-Houthi: The Israeli enemy's record is one of terrible and horrific crimes, full of bloodshed against the Palestinian people and people in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran.
Al-Houthi: The crime of targeting ministers and civilian workers adds to the Israeli enemy's criminal record in the region.
Al-Houthi: All of the martyrs were ministers working in civilian fields.
Sayyed Abdul Malik al-Houthi: We extend our sincerest condolences to all the martyrs' families, their loved ones, their colleagues, and our dear people.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone targeted a residential apartment in the al-Natour Square in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City

On 'Liberation Day', Trump announces 'reciprocal tariffs' worldwide

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 3 Apr 2025 00:42
5 Min Read

US President Donald Trump signs an executive order on broad tariffs on global imports, calling it "Liberation Day" for US industry.

Listen
  • x
  • Trump announces historic 'reciprocal tariffs' on countries worldwideUS President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order after delivering remarks on reciprocal tariffs during an event in the Rose Garden entitled "Make America Wealthy Again" at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2025. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday introduced sweeping tariffs, branding the move as "Liberation Day" in a bid to protect American industry, a decision that risks triggering a global trade war.

Speaking from the White House Rose Garden, flanked by US flags, Trump considered that the United States had been "looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike."

The dollar fell 1% against the euro and slipped against other major currencies as Trump was speaking.

While he did not immediately outline the full scope of the tariffs, the 78-year-old Republican stated that he was signing an executive order to impose "reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world" based on how they treat the US.

"This is Liberation Day. April 2nd, 2025 will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America's destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to make America wealthy again," US President Donald #Trump declared moments before he announced tariffs… pic.twitter.com/dau4mO9Wxe

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 2, 2025

'Liberation Day'

"This is Liberation Day," Trump proclaimed, adding that it would "forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America's destiny was reclaimed."

His speech was met with enthusiastic cheers from cabinet members and workers in hard hats representing industries such as steel, oil, and gas, as he vowed that the tariffs would "make America wealthy again."

Trump had been signaling the move for weeks, asserting that tariffs would prevent the US from being "ripped off" and usher in a new "Golden Age" of American industry. However, many economists warn that the tariffs could push the US into recession as costs trickle down to consumers while also escalating global trade tensions.

The world had been anxiously awaiting Trump’s announcement, with markets fluctuating in anticipation of the extent of the tariffs. Countries feared heavy penalties, and trading partners were bracing for retaliation.

Tariffs everwhere

Related News

Modi, Xi Pledge to Strengthen China-India Relations

India will not 'bow down' to pressure: Trade Minister

Trump directed some of the steepest tariffs at what he described as "nations that treat us badly," imposing 34% on imports from geopolitical rival China, 20% on key ally the European Union, and 24% on Japan.

But the US president – who held up a chart with a list of levies – said that he was "very kind" and so was only imposing half the amount that those countries taxed US exports.

For the rest, Trump said he would impose a "minimum baseline" 10% tariff on trading partners, including Britain and Ukraine.

Countries like Lesotho and Cambodia are hit with some of the highest tariffs, at 50% and 49%, respectively, while some of the most notable tariffs include Laos at 48%, Madagascar at 47%, Vietnam at 46%, and Sri Lanka at 44%.

Trump's new tariffs on US trading partners are set to take effect this weekend, White House officials announced, with higher rates on the "worst offenders" scheduled to follow next week.

Citing a "national emergency" driven by security concerns over persistent trade deficits, the White House told reporters that a "baseline" 10% tariff will be implemented at 12:01 am (0401 GMT) on April 5, while increased rates on specific partners will take effect at 12:01 am on April 9.

Trump shuts down 'de minimis' trade loophole, trade war imminent

Additionally, Trump signed an executive order that closes a trade loophole used to ship low-value packages duty-free from China, known as "de minimis," Reuters reported, citing an aide.

The European Union pledged to respond "before the end of April," initially targeting US actions on steel and aluminum before expanding countermeasures sector by sector.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has sought but failed to secure an exemption from the tariffs, warned that a "trade war is in nobody’s interest," vowing that his government was prepared for "all eventualities." Meanwhile, Germany cautioned that trade conflicts harm "both sides."

Trump kept details under wraps until the last moment, with the White House saying he was still "perfecting" the tariffs just hours before the announcement. Meanwhile, a 25% tariff on auto imports, announced last week, is set to take effect at 12:01 am (0401 GMT) on Thursday.

While Trump remains steadfast in his belief that tariffs are the solution to America's trade imbalances and economic struggles, critics argue that US businesses and consumers will bear the cost.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warned that, regardless of other nations’ responses, the impact "will be negative anyway the world over."

Trump has previously backed down on tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico amid trade negotiations, though he had initially imposed levies on them, citing their failure to curb the flow of the deadly opioid fentanyl into the US.

The US president has previously implemented 20% tariffs on all imports from China, along with 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, which have now been expanded to cover nearly $150 billion worth of related downstream products. 

Read more: 'Israel' drops tariffs on US ahead of Trump's duties on trade allies

  • US tariffs
  • United States
  • tariffs
  • US
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Fierce resistance ambushes target IOF in Gaza Strip

Fierce resistance ambushes target IOF in al-Zaytoun, Gaza City

  • Politics
  • 30 Aug 2025
Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks (Photo by Mahdi Rtail)

Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks

  • Politics
  • 26 Aug 2025
Although it does seem likely they will launch some kind of operation in northern Gaza, one which will accelerate its mass murder of civilians, but will fail to achieve its stated objectives. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Here is why the Israeli occupation of Gaza won’t work

  • Opinion
  • 26 Aug 2025
A scene showing an al-Qassam Brigades fighter during an ambush on July 7, 2025, in a video released by the al-Qassam Brigades on August 26, 2025 (al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

Al-Qassam reveals Beit Hanoun ambush targeting Israeli forces

  • Politics
  • 26 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Indonesia president says some protests 'leaning towards treason'
Politics

Indonesia president says some protests 'leaning towards treason'

Photo from the United 4 Gaza protest in Frankfurt Germany on August 30, 2025 (@theLeanderthal on X)
Politics

Over 10,000 join pro-Palestine protest in Frankfurt, Germany

NATO became tool of US expansion: US economist
US & Canada

NATO became tool of US expansion, says US economist

An Israeli soldier walks on a road following a military raid in the West Bank village of Al-Mughayyir, on August 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
Politics

New illegal Israeli settlement established near al-Khalil

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS