Trump Announces Reciprocal Tariffs on India and Other Nations, Effective April 2

Washington, D.C. – In his first address to a joint session of Congress following his re-election, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on countries that, according to him, have been imposing high duties on American products. Among the nations singled out in his speech was India, which he accused of charging excessively high tariffs, particularly on automobiles.

“India charges us auto tariffs higher than 100 percent,” Trump said, emphasizing his administration's stance on trade policies. "If you don’t make your product in America under the Trump administration, you will pay a tariff, and in some cases, a rather large one."

The decision, which will come into effect on April 2, aims to counterbalance tariffs imposed by other nations on U.S. goods. Trump clarified that he deliberately avoided launching the tariffs on April 1 to prevent any association with April Fools' Day.

‘Unfair Trade Practices’

The President defended his tough stance on trade, arguing that the U.S. has long been at the receiving end of what he termed as “unfair trade practices” by major economies. Listing several countries including the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Canada, he claimed they all impose significantly higher tariffs on U.S. exports than what the U.S. levies on their goods.

“It’s very unfair,” he stated. “China’s average tariff on our products is twice what we charge them, and South Korea’s average tariff is four times higher.”

The announcement was met with strong applause from Trump's supporters in Congress, who view the move as a bold step towards protecting American businesses and workers.

Escalation in U.S. Trade Policy

This latest development follows a series of aggressive trade measures by the U.S. in recent days. On Tuesday, Washington decided to retain a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, despite appeals from trade groups. The administration also doubled tariffs on Chinese goods from 10 percent to 20 percent, citing Beijing’s alleged inaction on fentanyl production and its role in the opioid crisis.

While Trump’s "America First" trade agenda has drawn strong domestic support, it has also raised concerns among international trade partners. India, in particular, has been a target of U.S. tariff hikes in recent years, despite diplomatic efforts to strengthen bilateral economic ties.

India's Response and Global Reactions

Indian officials have not yet issued an official response, but economic experts suggest that New Delhi may consider countermeasures if the new tariffs significantly impact Indian exports. “India has worked towards reducing trade barriers with the U.S. in recent years. However, any abrupt tariff hikes could lead to retaliatory measures,” said a senior trade analyst.

With global markets already experiencing uncertainty due to shifting trade policies, Trump's latest move could trigger fresh tensions between the world’s largest democracies.

As the April 2 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the U.S. administration to see whether it follows through on its threat of reciprocal tariffs and how India and other affected nations respond.