WASHINGTON, March 5: In his first address to a joint session of Congress, US President Donald Trump announced that reciprocal tariffs would be implemented starting April 2, 2025. The move is part of his administration’s aggressive stance on trade policy, targeting countries like the European Union, China, Brazil, India, and South Korea for high tariffs.
Trump declared, “Whatever they tax us, we tax them,” emphasizing that the United States would now begin using tariffs against other nations after decades of being subjected to high tariffs. He criticized the trade imbalances, stating that countries like the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Canada charge significantly higher tariffs on American goods than the US imposes on their products, calling it “unfair.”
The president highlighted that India charges 100 percent tariffs, while China’s average tariff on US products is double that of the US’s tariffs on Chinese goods. He also pointed out that South Korea’s tariffs are four times higher than those of the US, claiming that the current system is not fair to the US and it “never was.” Trump stressed that on April 2, reciprocal tariffs would kick in, with the US matching or exceeding the tariffs imposed by other countries. He also warned that non-monetary barriers, like market access restrictions, would be met with similar measures from the US.
Trump also attacked the previous administration’s economic policies, blaming them for what he described as an “economic catastrophe” and an “inflation nightmare.” He pointed to rising energy prices and increased costs for essential goods, claiming that the US suffered the worst inflation in 48 years under the Democrats. The president vowed to reverse these policies and make the US economy more affordable for American families.
In a bid to support domestic manufacturing, Trump proposed making interest payments on car loans tax-deductible, but only for vehicles made in the US. He reiterated his commitment to tax cuts for domestic production and emphasized that Social Security benefits for seniors would remain untaxed under his administration. Trump also pledged to reduce energy costs as part of his ongoing fight against inflation, criticizing the Biden administration for closing over 100 power plants and vowing to reopen many of them.
As Trump discussed the budget cuts his administration claimed to have made, Democrats grew vocal with chants of “Not true!” “Bullshit!” and “Those are lies!” despite the president’s assertions.
At 78, Trump remains defiant and energized, stating that his administration has achieved more in its first 43 days than most administrations do in four or eight years. He declared, “We are just getting started,” continuing his radical push to reshape the US government. Trump also expressed his resolve to end the Ukraine war, no matter the cost, and promised that the American Dream was “unstoppable” with the US poised for an unparalleled comeback.
In his address, Trump also drew chants of “USA, USA!” from loyal lawmakers, reflecting his continued strong support among parts of the Republican Party. The speech underscored Trump’s aggressive and polarizing approach to both domestic and foreign policy, marking the beginning of what he described as a new chapter in American history.
