In a fiery speech from the White House Rose Garden, former President Donald Trump announced the signing of a sweeping executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries across the globe. Declaring April 3 as “Liberation Day,” Trump proclaimed it as the moment when “American industry was reborn.”
“This is going to be our Golden Age,” said Trump. “Foreign scavengers have torn apart our American dream. It is not going to happen anymore.”
Framing the announcement as a pivotal turning point in U.S. trade policy, Trump said, “In a few moments, I will sign a historic Executive Order — reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world. Reciprocal. That means they do it to us and we do it to them. Very simple. Can’t get any simpler than that.”
The former president criticized global trade practices that he claimed disadvantaged the United States and emphasized that his administration’s response would be equal and swift.
“It is now our turn to prosper,” Trump declared. “We will make America greater than ever before.”
The move is expected to escalate trade tensions as the order allows the U.S. to impose identical tariffs on imports from nations that impose duties on American goods. Trump previously hinted that this would be the most aggressive trade maneuver of his administration.
More details on which nations and products are targeted are expected in the coming hours. Markets have responded with volatility as investors weigh the economic fallout of the announcement.
