Trump Plans Broad Tariffs Targeting All Countries Ahead of ‘Liberation Day’
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the tariffs he intends to implement in the coming days will apply universally to “all countries,” rather than focusing solely on those exhibiting significant trade imbalances with the United States.
On April 2, Trump is scheduled to reveal what he calls a “Liberation Day,” when he will disclose reciprocal tariffs aimed at combatting trade practices his administration considers unfair. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump noted, “You’d start with all countries, so let’s see what happens,” effectively extinguishing any expectations that he might minimize the scope of the proposed tariffs or limit them to specific nations with consistent trade deficits.
In response to a question regarding the targeted countries, he remarked, “I haven’t heard a rumour about 15 countries, 10 or 15,” emphasizing that the tariffs would be applicable to nearly all the nations involved in trade with the U.S.
Originally, the upcoming tariffs were anticipated to primarily impact a subset of partners—approximately 15 nations that consistently have trade deficits with the U.S., which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has labeled the “Dirty 15.” However, Trump clarified that the tariff application would not be restricted to this group.
Despite broadening the range of impacted countries, Trump assured that the tariffs would be “more generous” compared to those imposed on the U.S. by foreign nations. “The tariffs will be far more generous than those countries were to us, meaning they will be kinder than those countries were to the United States of America over the decades. They ripped us off like no country has ever been ripped off in history, and we’re going to be much nicer than they were to us. But it’s substantial money for the country nevertheless,” he stated.
Trump has previously enacted tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and is set to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports. Tariffs on imported automobiles are also slated to take effect on April 3, with Trump’s chief trade advisor, Peter Navarro, estimating that these auto tariffs could generate upwards of $100 billion annually. Navarro further projected that the collective revenue from the additional tariffs could reach approximately $600 billion per year, culminating in around $6 trillion over the next decade.
The sweeping scope of Trump’s planned tariffs raises concerns of a potential global trade war, as several countries have already signaled intentions to retaliate. Economists warn that such extensive measures could incite inflation and lead to an economic downturn.
Trump has defended the tariffs as a means to enhance government revenue and reinvigorate American manufacturing.
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