Trump Announces Reciprocal Tariffs Against India, China Starting April 2
US President Donald Trump has set the stage for a bold trade shake-up, promising reciprocal tariffs on countries like India and China starting April 2. Speaking to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, Trump declared, “Whatever they tariff us, we will tariff them,” aiming to level the playing field and “make America rich again.” The move follows his fresh 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico and a 20% duty hike on Chinese goods, effective Tuesday.
Trump called out nations for charging the US “tremendously higher tariffs” than it imposes. “India charges auto tariffs at 100%, China’s rates are double ours—it’s unfair,” he said. He originally eyed April 1 for the rollout but shifted to April 2 to dodge “April Fool’s Day” jabs. The policy means if India taxes US goods at 100%, the US will slap the same rate back, a tit-for-tat approach he says restores fairness.
The announcement comes amid rising global tensions. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fired back with 25% tariffs on US exports, slamming Trump for sparking a “trade war.” Mexico and China also signaled retaliation, with experts warning of slower growth and higher costs for Americans still recovering from inflation that peaked at 9.1% in 2022. Trump, unfazed, doubled down on Truth Social, threatening Canada with even steeper duties: “Our reciprocal tariff will match theirs immediately!”
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India, a key US trade partner with $77.5 billion in exports last fiscal year, now faces uncertainty. Trump’s past labels like “tariff king” for India hint at tough times ahead, especially for sectors like autos and textiles. Posts on X reflect market jitters, with some predicting a “beating” for India’s Sensex and Nifty.
Analysts see risks but also a silver lining. If Trump’s tariffs disrupt China’s trade, India could grab export opportunities—provided it ramps up production. For now, as Trump’s April 2 deadline looms, the world watches to see if this tariff gamble pays off or ignites a full-blown trade war.
