White House Confirms Tariffs Will Effective Immediately After Trump Announce Them Today

The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump will announced series of reciprocal tariffs on April 2, which will take effect immediately, while auto tariffs are slated to begin on April 3. The announcement, scheduled for Wednesday at 4 pm local time in the White House Rose Garden, marks a significant step in Trump’s trade policy, which he has dubbed “Liberation Day.”

The reciprocal tariffs, aimed at addressing trade imbalances with other nations, are part of a broader strategy that Trump has been refining since taking office on January 20. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday that the president is working closely with his trade advisors to finalize the details. “My understanding is that the tariff announcement will come tomorrow,” she said, adding that Trump is focused on ensuring a “perfect deal” for American workers.

The new tariffs will include reciprocal measures targeting countries that impose duties on U.S. goods, alongside a previously announced 25% tariff on imported automobiles. The auto tariffs, described by Trump as “permanent,” will be implemented starting Thursday, April 3. This follows earlier levies on imports from Canada, Mexico, and sector-specific tariffs on metals, reflecting Trump’s commitment to reshaping U.S. trade relations.

Leavitt hinted at the scope of the tariffs, noting that several countries have already reached out to the administration regarding the plans. “The president is always available for a good negotiation,” she said, emphasizing Trump’s willingness to discuss lower rates with foreign governments and corporate leaders. However, she stressed that his priority remains “righting the wrongs of the past” to ensure fair treatment for American workers.

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Trump has repeatedly referred to April 2 as “Liberation Day,” signaling his intent to use tariffs as a tool to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign imports. The White House Rose Garden event is expected to outline how these reciprocal tariffs will match duties imposed by other nations on U.S. exports, a policy Trump has championed since his campaign.

“He is with his trade and tariff team right now, perfecting it to make sure this is a perfect deal for the American people,” Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday. She added, “You will all find out in about 24 hours from now,” building anticipation for the formal announcement. The White House has not yet disclosed the full list of countries or products affected by the reciprocal tariffs.

Since January, Trump has rolled out multiple import levies, including steep tariffs on Canada and Mexico, as well as targeted duties on metals and automobiles. The April 2 announcement will expand this framework, potentially impacting a wide range of goods and trading partners. The auto tariffs, in particular, are expected to generate significant revenue while encouraging car manufacturing within the U.S.

As the world awaits Trump’s speech on Wednesday, attention will focus on the specific countries and industries targeted by the reciprocal tariffs. The immediate implementation of these measures could spark reactions from global markets and trade partners.