Trump Declares National Emergency, Announces Global Tariffs to Combat Trade Deficit

Starting April 5, the U.S. will impose a 10% baseline tariff on all countries, with higher individualized tariffs on top deficit nations including China, India, and Vietnam from April 9.

Washington DC [US], April 3: In a sweeping move to counter persistent trade deficits and strengthen national economic security, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a new set of global tariffs, declaring a national economic emergency.

Starting April 5, 2025, a 10% tariff will be imposed on all countries, while starting April 9, nations with the largest trade deficits with the U.S. will face higher, individualized tariff rates.

The White House detailed the initiative in a fact sheet titled “President Donald J. Trump Declares National Emergency to Increase our Competitive Edge, Protect our Sovereignty, and Strengthen our National and Economic Security.”

According to the document, President Trump is invoking his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) to tackle the national emergency posed by ongoing trade imbalances. These imbalances, the administration claims, are driven by non-reciprocal trade practices, currency manipulation, and high value-added taxes imposed by foreign governments.

“Using his IEEPA authority, President Trump will impose a 10% tariff on all countries. This will take effect April 5, 2025, at 12:01 am EDT,” the fact sheet stated.

From April 9, individualized reciprocal tariffs will apply to countries with the largest U.S. trade deficits. All other nations will remain subject to the standard 10% tariff. These measures, the administration said, will remain in place until the President determines that the underlying threats are mitigated or resolved.

The fact sheet also grants Trump modification authority, allowing him to increase tariffs in response to retaliation or lower them if countries take steps to align their trade practices with U.S. interests.

At the Make America Wealthy Again event, President Trump elaborated on the policy, particularly targeting foreign motorcycle and automobile tariffs.

“The United States charges other countries only a 2.4% tariff on motorcycles. Meanwhile, Thailand and others charge much higher prices like 60%, India charges 70%, Vietnam 75%, and others even more,” he said.

Trump further announced a 25% tariff on all foreign-made automobiles, citing national security concerns and the collapse of the U.S. industrial base.

“Such horrendous imbalances have devastated our industrial base and put our national security at risk. I don’t blame these other countries… I blame former presidents and past leaders who weren’t doing their job.”

Country-Specific Tariff Highlights (effective April 9):

• China: 34%
• Vietnam: 46%
• India: 26%
• European Union: 20%
• Japan: 24%
• Taiwan: 32%
• United Kingdom: 10%
• Bangladesh: 37%
• Pakistan: 29%
• Sri Lanka: 44%
• Israel: 17%

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