US President Donald Trump took aim at India’s high import duties during his speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, alongside criticism of tariffs imposed by the European Union, China, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada. Announcing a bold new policy, Trump declared that the US would begin imposing reciprocal tariffs on nations that levy high duties on American goods, starting April 2.
“The US has been ripped off for decades by nearly every country on earth, and we will not let that happen any longer,” Trump said. He highlighted India’s auto tariffs exceeding 100%, along with China’s tariffs being twice those of the US and South Korea’s four times higher. “Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it’s our turn,” he added.
Stressing the need for fairness, Trump announced the introduction of reciprocal taxes: “Whatever they tariff us, we will tariff them.” He argued that the move would generate trillions of dollars and create unprecedented job opportunities.
Reflecting on his administration’s rapid progress, Trump claimed, “We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations did in four or eight years. Our spirit, pride, and confidence are back, and the American Dream is surging bigger and better than ever before.”
Trump also criticized the lack of support from Democratic lawmakers. “This is my fifth speech to Congress, and nothing I say seems to make them happy. Even if I found a cure for the most devastating disease or achieved the greatest economy in history, they wouldn’t stand or applaud.”
Since taking office on January 20, Trump noted his administration’s flurry of activity: nearly 100 executive orders and over 400 executive actions aimed at restoring safety, optimism, and wealth.
Addressing border security, Trump justified his declaration of a national emergency on the southern border and criticized his predecessor Joe Biden, calling him the “worst President in American history.” Trump claimed that his policies had drastically reduced illegal border crossings, contrasting them with the soaring numbers under Biden’s tenure.
As Trump’s reciprocal tax policy approaches its April 2 implementation date, the global economic landscape may soon see significant shifts in response to the US’s assertive trade stance.
