US President Donald Trump has reiterated his criticism of the “very unfair” trade tariffs imposed by India, China, Canada, and other nations, announcing that reciprocal tariffs will take effect on April 2. The move is aimed at equalizing trade tariffs on imports and exports, ensuring that foreign nations pay the same duties on US goods as they impose on American exports.
Trump Vows to Counter “Unfair” Trade Policies
In his address to a Joint Session of Congress, his first since beginning his second term, President Trump made his position clear: “Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it’s our turn to start using them against those other countries.”
He singled out key US trade partners, including the European Union, China, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and India, for imposing “tremendously higher” tariffs on US goods.
Using India as a prime example, Trump highlighted high auto import duties imposed by the South Asian nation: “India charges us auto tariffs higher than 100 per cent.”
Watch Trump’s full Joint Session of Congress speech here:
BEST SPEECH EVER pic.twitter.com/kJ3vSWooIk
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 5, 2025
India and China Face New Tariffs Amid Trade Tensions
Trump reaffirmed his long-standing stance that the United States must counteract inequitable trade policies, particularly those of major economies such as India and China. He revealed that new reciprocal tariffs will be applied “soon”, following similar remarks made during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington last month.
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The US President stated that he had directly informed Modi that India would not be exempt from these tariffs. “Nobody can argue with me on this,” he added.
Reciprocal Tariffs Set to Begin on April 2
Effective April 2, Trump announced, the U.S. will impose tariffs equivalent to those charged by other nations on American exports. “Whatever they tariff us, other countries, we will tariff them. That’s reciprocal – back and forth. Whatever they tax us, we will tax them. If they do non-monetary tariffs to keep us out of their market, then we will do non-monetary barriers to keep them out of our market.”
Trump’s latest tariff measures follow sweeping levies imposed on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, citing issues such as illegal immigration and drug trafficking. These policies have triggered strong reactions from international leaders.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the move, accusing Trump of attempting to cripple Canada’s economy in an effort to facilitate a US annexation.
Trudeau also condemned the Trump administration for targeting close US allies while allegedly “appeasing” Russia over its actions in Ukraine.
Global Trade War Looms as Tensions Rise
With retaliatory tariffs expected from key trading partners, economic analysts warn that Trump’s tariff escalation could further strain diplomatic ties and impact global trade dynamics.
The April 2 implementation date will mark a significant shift in US trade policy, as countries such as India, China, and Canada prepare their responses.
