Trump Announces New Tariffs on EU Imports as Part of Global Trade Strategy
The US President unveils a comprehensive tariff package, imposing a 20% tariff on EU imports and escalating trade tensions with major partners.
On April 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump declared what he termed "Liberation Day," unveiling a broad tariff package aimed at enforcing reciprocal tariffs on imports from various countries.
Speaking from the Rose Garden of the White House, Trump criticized close trading partners, claiming the United States had been "plundered and raped" by existing tariff policies.
The announced tariffs include a significant 20% levy on imports from the European Union, a 34% tariff on goods from China, and a 10% tariff on imports from the United Kingdom.
Trump specified that the minimum tariff would be set at 10% for all countries.
Trump stated, "Jobs and factories will come back to our country," emphasizing that increased domestic production would lead to heightened competition and reduced prices.
During his announcement, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick presented the detailed tariff schedule, which outlines the rates for various countries and products.
The new tariffs continue Trump's administration's pattern of utilizing tariffs as a trade policy tool, reminiscent of his previous term in office.
In the past, he has implemented tariffs on aluminum and steel imports, proposed 25% tariffs on imported automobiles and parts, and raised tariffs on a wide array of goods from China.
Canada and Mexico have also been targets of his tariff initiatives.
The tariffs on automobiles are set to take effect on Thursday morning, with the specific implementation time published in the U.S. Federal Register as occurring at 12:01 AM Eastern Time (6:01 AM Central European Summer Time).
Tariffs on automobile parts are expected to be enacted by May 3, 2025.
In response to the announced tariffs, European leaders have already indicated that a coordinated reaction will follow.
Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit confirmed that the German government plans to respond in conjunction with the European Union, remarking, "There will be a decisive reaction from the European Union as well."
Speaking from the Rose Garden of the White House, Trump criticized close trading partners, claiming the United States had been "plundered and raped" by existing tariff policies.
The announced tariffs include a significant 20% levy on imports from the European Union, a 34% tariff on goods from China, and a 10% tariff on imports from the United Kingdom.
Trump specified that the minimum tariff would be set at 10% for all countries.
Trump stated, "Jobs and factories will come back to our country," emphasizing that increased domestic production would lead to heightened competition and reduced prices.
During his announcement, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick presented the detailed tariff schedule, which outlines the rates for various countries and products.
The new tariffs continue Trump's administration's pattern of utilizing tariffs as a trade policy tool, reminiscent of his previous term in office.
In the past, he has implemented tariffs on aluminum and steel imports, proposed 25% tariffs on imported automobiles and parts, and raised tariffs on a wide array of goods from China.
Canada and Mexico have also been targets of his tariff initiatives.
The tariffs on automobiles are set to take effect on Thursday morning, with the specific implementation time published in the U.S. Federal Register as occurring at 12:01 AM Eastern Time (6:01 AM Central European Summer Time).
Tariffs on automobile parts are expected to be enacted by May 3, 2025.
In response to the announced tariffs, European leaders have already indicated that a coordinated reaction will follow.
Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit confirmed that the German government plans to respond in conjunction with the European Union, remarking, "There will be a decisive reaction from the European Union as well."
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