- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 01 Apr 2025 11:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
President Donald Trump’s forthcoming reciprocal tariffs will take effect immediately after their official unveiling on Wednesday, April 2, the White House confirmed. The move, which Trump has repeatedly referred to as a key milestone in his trade policy, is expected to have significant implications for global trade.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed that the tariffs will be enforced without delay. “My understanding is that the tariff announcement will come tomorrow. They will be effective immediately,” she said.
Leavitt also emphasised that Trump has long signaled this policy shift, branding April 2 as America’s "Liberation Day." “The president has been teasing this for quite some time,” she stated, adding that Trump has positioned the move as a corrective measure to level the playing field for American businesses.
Trump has described the new measures as "reciprocal tariffs," implying that countries imposing duties on US goods will face similar trade restrictions. While details remain unclear, the policy could introduce tariffs on imports from a wide range of trading partners, including China, the European Union, Canada, and Mexico. The president has touted the move as “the big one,” recently declaring that the tariffs will “start with all countries.”
According to Leavitt, Trump has been working closely with his trade and tariff advisers to finalize the strategy. “He is with his trade and tariff team right now, perfecting it to make sure this is a perfect deal for the American people and the American worker, and you will all find out in about 24 hours from now,” she said.
Trump Open To Trade Talks But Stands Firm On Tariffs
The administration has framed the policy as a necessary step to counter decades of what it views as unfair trade practices by other nations. Trump has frequently argued that US industries have suffered due to foreign tariffs and that implementing reciprocal measures will strengthen domestic manufacturing and job growth.
While Trump remains firm on his stance, Leavitt acknowledged that the president remains open to discussions with global leaders. “The president is always up to take a phone call, always up for a good negotiation, but he is very much focused on fixing the wrongs of the past and ensuring American workers get a fair shake,” she said.