Trump unveils reciprocal blanket tariffs review of all major US trading partners

US President Donald Trump announced plans for customised reciprocal tariffs on all imports on Thursday, citing unfair duties imposed by other countries on American goods and marking a further move towards a global trade war.

The new levies would take effect after a six-month assessment by the director of the Office of Management and Budget – with input from the Office of the US Trade Representative, Commerce Department and other agencies – after which time the OMB would give Trump its assessment.

The US Trade Representative and the Commerce Department would be responsible for proposing new tariffs on a country-by-country basis.

Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for Commerce Secretary, told reporters that all assessments would be completed by April 1, allowing tariffs to potentially take effect the following day if the US president decides to move forward.

“I have decided, for purposes of fairness, that I will charge a reciprocal tariff, meaning whatever countries charge the United States of America, we will charge them no more, no less,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office before signing a presidential order.

“In other words, they charge us a tax or tariff and we charge them the exact same tax or tariff. Very simple,” he added, noting that the exact number would not be clear “unless you go by the individual country”.