President Trump Signs Memo to Study Reciprocal Tariffs on Trade Partners
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on reciprocal trade on Thursday, instructing federal agencies to explore adjusting U.S. tariffs to mirror the duties and economic barriers imposed by other nations on U.S. products.
“They charge us a tax or tariff and we charge them,” Trump said during a press event at the White House.
“We want a level playing field,” Trump said.
Contrary to international concerns, the memo does not immediately enact tariffs.
Instead, it tasks the Commerce Department with collecting data on trading partners’ tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
These findings are to be reported to the president, and the Commerce Department is required to deliver a report on achieving reciprocal trade status by April 1, as stated by Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick.
In a post on Truth Social following the event, Trump outlined his plan, which includes measures for “subsidies” and “Nonmonetary Tariffs and Trade Barriers” used by other nations. He emphasized, “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.”
Implementing reciprocal tariffs would fulfill a Trump campaign promise and tackle a major trade issue for the president and his economic advisors.
Trade experts noted this week that the reciprocal-trade action could undermine the World Trade Organization’s “most favored nation” status, which mandates equal tariff and regulatory treatment among member countries.
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