British News Agency

Trump said he would impose additional taxes on countries he claims have "cheated" America, including implementing “reciprocal tariffs” on several dozen countries and a 10% universal tariff on all imported foreign goods.

The 10% universal tariff will take effect on April 5, while the reciprocal tariffs will begin on April 9.

In a lengthy speech in the White House garden, Trump stated, “I think this is one of the most important days in American history. For decades, America has been looted, pillaged, and raped by trade partners. In many cases, friends are worse than enemies.”

Midway through his one-hour speech, the president displayed a chart showing the “unfair” taxes imposed by countries on the U.S., alongside his new “U.S. Discounted Reciprocal Tariffs.” He said China imposes a 67% “unfair” tax on U.S. goods, and the U.S. will now impose a 34% tax in response. According to the White House, the EU currently charges 39% on imports, which will now be reduced to 20%. Trump said a base tariff of 10% will be imposed on the U.K., matching what the U.S. calculates the U.K. imposes on U.S. imports.

Canada and Mexico received special exemptions, though they were previously targeted by broader tariffs. The White House said goods under the existing trade agreement with these countries will remain exempt from tariffs.

Trump noted that the tariff calculations also consider "currency manipulation and trade barriers," though the White House did not provide specifics on how the new tariffs were determined.

Trump appears to be focusing on sector-specific tariffs that countries apply to American exports. In his speech, he criticized the EU’s ban on imported chicken, Canada’s dairy tariffs, and Japan’s rice duties.

The new tariffs add to a list of levies Trump has already implemented: a 20% tariff on all Chinese imports, a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, and a 10% tariff on energy imports from Canada.

Trump also announced in March a 25% tariff on all imported vehicles, and eventually auto parts, which will take effect this Thursday.

“These tariffs will give us growth like you’ve never seen before, and it’s going to be something very special to watch,” Trump said.

He clearly outlined his goals for the tariffs: to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and to respond to unfair trade practices from other countries.