Donald Trump vowed to enact tariffs against countries that he doesn’t believe engage in fair trade with the United States, and on Thursday, he delivered on that promise.
He posted the news to social media:
On Trade, I have decided, for purposes of Fairness, that I will charge a RECIPROCAL Tariff meaning, whatever Countries charge the United States of America, we will charge them - No more, no less!
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) February 13, 2025
For purposes of this United States Policy, we will consider Countries that use the…
It’s a long post, which you can see in its entirety here, but the president promised to even the playing field:
On Trade, I have decided, for purposes of Fairness, that I will charge a RECIPROCAL Tariff meaning, whatever Countries charge the United States of America, we will charge them - No more, no less! …
For many years, the U.S. has been treated unfairly by other Countries, both friend and foe. This System will immediately bring Fairness and Prosperity back into the previously complex and unfair System of Trade. America has helped many Countries throughout the years, at great financial cost. It is now time that these Countries remember this, and treat us fairly – A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR AMERICAN WORKERS.
Related: When the Tariff Sheriff Rides Into Town
NEW: Canada Caves in Another Victory for Trump on Tariffs/Border
Expect liberals to freak out over the news. At a news conference that is ongoing as of this writing, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins tried to preach hysteria, but Trump wasn’t having it:
LMAOO
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 13, 2025
KAITLAN COLLINS: Mr. President, you won the White House, in part because of high inflation. If your tariffs make prices go up...
TRUMP: Excuse me, we haven't asked you to speak yet, please.pic.twitter.com/mYWgQQihCs
Look how CNN is framing it. Can you imagine them ever taking such a negative approach to a Biden initiative? (emphasis mine):
President Donald Trump doubled down on his extraordinary push for more balanced trade, ordering on Thursday that agencies should investigate plans for new reciprocal tariffs that could boost America’s revenue — but could also ignite a global trade war and add to America’s rebounding inflation problem.
Which tariffs are Trump imposing?
To put it simply, he’ll impose a penalty on anyone who uses unfair business practices against us. From his Truth Social post:
For purposes of this United States Policy, we will consider Countries that use the VAT System, which is far more punitive than a Tariff, to be similar to that of a Tariff. Sending merchandise, product, or anything by any other name through another Country, for purposes of unfairly harming America, will not be accepted. In addition, we will make provision for subsidies provided by Countries in order to take Economic advantage of the United States. Likewise, provisions will be made for Nonmonetary Tariffs and Trade Barriers that some Countries charge in order to keep our product out of their domain or, if they do not even let U.S. businesses operate. We are able to accurately determine the cost of these Nonmonetary Trade Barriers. It is fair to all, no other Country can complain and, in some cases, if a Country feels that the United States would be getting too high a Tariff, all they have to do is reduce or terminate their Tariff against us. There are no Tariffs if you manufacture or build your product in the United States.
Although many on the left will freak out over the possibility of an all-out trade war or the advent of significantly higher prices because of this move, there’s another possibility: like Canada and Mexico, countries will quickly bend the knee and start playing fair. Time will tell.
BREAKING 🚨 Donald Trump stuns the world by announcing Reciprocal Tariffs on EVERY country that has it for us
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) February 13, 2025
America will no longer be bullied
WE ARE BACK 🇺🇸
pic.twitter.com/y4fLmHcRuY
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