Filenews 3 April 2025
From the White House Rose Garden, Donald Trump announced his plan to impose tariffs on imports. Donald Trump arrived at the Rose Garden to loud cheers and applause from those gathered.
"We have some very, very good news today," he initially said. "Many good things are happening for our country. Today is Liberation Day. April 2, 2025 will forever go down in history as the day American industry was reborn, the day America's destiny was claimed, and the day we began to make America rich again."
He stressed that he would sign a "historic executive decree to establish reciprocal tariffs in countries around the world."
See Trump's announcements:
Trump added that "for decades, our country has been looted, stripped down, trampled on and devoured by nations near and far," both by allies and adversaries. "Our taxpayers have been deceived for more than 50 years, but this is not going to happen again," he added.
"Now it's our turn to prosper," Trump said. At the same time, it announced 25% tariffs on cars from all over the world with immediate effect from midnight.
Donald Trump has denounced that for decades the United States has been reducing trade tariffs to other countries, while the states themselves have imposed huge taxes on American products.
The U.S. president directly accused other states of a series of practices, including stealing U.S. intellectual property and adopting unfair trade rules.
"The friend is sometimes worse than the enemy"
The U.S. president launched a new attack targeting international trade, saying that in some cases "the friend is worse than the enemy."
He referred to car markets in countries such as South Korea and Japan, pointing out that more than 80 percent of cars made in South Korea are sold within the country, while in Japan the corresponding percentage exceeds 90 percent. At the same time, American-made cars account for only a minimal percentage of these countries' markets.
"Ford sells very little abroad," he said, pointing out that this imbalance has led to the "decimation" of American industry.
"That is why tonight, exactly at midnight, we will impose a 25 percent tariff on all cars made abroad," he said.
As part of the event, a Detroit auto worker named Brian took the floor declaring clear support for Donald Trump's tariff policy. "We and my colleagues in the UAW support 100 percent of Donald Trump's tariff policy," he said, drawing applause from the audience.
"We defend farmers and livestock breeders"
Trump went on to say that with his actions today, the U.S. is "defending farmers and ranchers" who have been subjected to "brutal treatment" by nations around the world.
He says Canada imposes 200-250% tariffs on "many of our dairy products."
Trump also criticized the fact that the U.S. "subsidizes many countries," citing Canada and Mexico as examples. "At some point you have to say: it's time to work a little bit for yourselves," he said, addressing states that – in his view – rely too much on American support.
Half reciprocal duties for many countries
China 34%
EU 20%
Vietnam 46%
Taiwan 32%
Japan 24%
India 26%
South Korea 25%
Thailand 36%
Switzerland 31%
10% UK 30% South Africa
24 countries and the European Union on the list of "reciprocal tariffs". Among other things, he singled out China and the European Union: "They are stealing from us. It's so sad to see it. It's so sad," he said.
The U.S. president announced the tariffs by holding a table detailing the percentages for each country:
Donald Trump said he had "great respect" for China and President Xi Jinping, but stressed that Beijing had "exploited to a huge extent" the United States.
As he said, foreign leaders protect the interests of their countries by imposing high tariffs on American products. "It's time for us to do the same," he said, adding: "We must finally start taking care of our own country."
"It's time to take care of our own people"
In his speech shortly before signing the plan to impose reciprocal tariffs, Donald Trump stressed that "finally, America comes first."
"Today we are defending the American worker and finally putting America first," he said, presenting the tariffs as a measure that empowers U.S. citizens. Trump claimed that the United States "cares about countries around the world," but when some attempt is made to reduce that support, then "others get annoyed that we don't pay attention to them anymore."
As he characteristically said, "the tariffs are a clear message that the time has come to take care of our own people first".
At the same time, he appeared particularly optimistic about the future of the American economy: "We can really become extremely rich. Richer than any other country, and you won't believe it. It's just that now we're getting smart." If you want zero tariffs, make your products in the USA, was Trump's message to everyone.
"There is no tariff if you manufacture your product here in America," he said, sending a clear message of support for domestic production.
"America is transforming"
Just two months after taking office, Donald Trump underlined that the United States is already on a path of radical change.
"There has never been a transformation of a country like the one that is already taking place in the United States of America," he said, describing the developments as "an incredible spectacle."
Referring to the announcement of the new tariffs, Trump said that American workers and businesses welcomed it with enthusiasm.
He admitted that there will be reactions: "There will be complaints from globalists, special interests and fake news," but he was quick to add that all of them "are the same ones who have been wrong for the last 30 years when it comes to U.S. trade policy."
Trump: America's future will be built with "American hands"
Donald Trump has issued a rallying call to all Republican lawmakers and senators, calling for unity to approve a budget that he can support.
"From now on, we will not allow anyone to tell American workers and their families that they cannot have the future they deserve," he emphasized.
Concluding his statement, he underlined that America's future will be built "with American hands, with American hearts and with American steel."
