Trump imposes sweeping import tariffs: trillions in trade affected
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced sweeping global import tariffs affecting trade flows worth trillions of dollars, aimed at protecting the American economy.
Photo: Trump White House Archived, PDM 1.0
On April 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced an unprecedented trade initiative — the imposition of large-scale tariffs on all imports to the country. The information was published on the White House website.
The new tariff regime, according to Trump, is aimed at "restoring America's industrial strength" and addressing the chronic trade deficit.
According to the signed order, starting April 5, a 10% additional tariff will be imposed on all imported goods. For certain countries and specific product categories, tariffs will increase even further from April 9, depending on the degree of non-compliance with the principle of reciprocity in trade with the U.S.
The president stated that trade partners have exploited the openness of the American market for years while setting up their own barriers against U.S. exports.
According to him, this has weakened U.S. industry, threatens national security, and makes the country dependent on foreign supplies in critically important sectors.
The volume of trade affected by the new measures is estimated in the trillions of dollars, with the tariffs applying to consumer goods, raw materials, and industrial components.
Exceptions are made only for a limited list of strategic goods — such as defense technologies, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals.
The Trump administration notes that the tariffs will remain in effect until the U.S. secures fair conditions in the global market.
According to the White House, the new policy could reshape the architecture of global trade.
It was previously reported that gold prices are rising as investors seek safety amid escalating trade conflicts — especially following the U.S. introduction of new tariffs on cars, which heightened fears of potential inflation and recession.
It also became known that France is demanding a tough response from the EU to U.S. actions and insists on applying an anti-coercion mechanism if Donald Trump introduces new, in Paris's view, unfair trade tariffs.