Former US President Donald Trump has announced a new trade policy focused on fairness and reciprocity, vowing to implement tariffs that mirror those imposed by other nations on American goods.
Trump said the approach aims to counter what he described as unfair trade practices, including non-monetary barriers, foreign subsidies, and value-added tax (VAT) systems that disadvantage US exports.
The policy, he claimed, would encourage foreign governments to either reduce or eliminate tariffs on American products.
In a statement shared on X on Monday, Trump declared, “On trade, 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 argued that VAT systems in several countries operate in a manner more punitive than traditional tariffs, putting American goods at a disadvantage. He warned that attempts to bypass US tariffs by routing goods through third-party nations would not be tolerated.
“For purposes of this United States policy, we will consider countries that use the VAT system, which is far more punitive than a tariff, to be similar to that of a tariff,” the statement read.
“Sending merchandise, product, or anything by any other name through another country, for purposes of unfairly harming America, will not be accepted.”
The former president also stated that his administration would introduce provisions addressing foreign government subsidies that give an unfair advantage over US businesses.
Additionally, he pledged to tackle non-monetary trade barriers, which he said some nations use to block American goods or restrict US businesses from operating in their markets.
“We are able to accurately determine the cost of these non-monetary trade barriers,” he said. “It is fair to all, no other country can complain and, in some cases, if a country feels that the United States would be getting too high a tariff, all they have to do is reduce or terminate their tariff against us.”
Trump also reassured businesses that no tariffs would apply to companies that manufacture their products within the United States.
The statement reflected Trump’s long-standing grievances with US trade relationships, which he argued have disadvantaged American workers and businesses.
“For many years, the US has been treated unfairly by other countries, both friend and foe,” the post said. “This system will immediately bring fairness and prosperity back into the previously complex and unfair system of trade.”
He added that the United States has historically helped many nations “at great financial cost” and called on them to reciprocate with fair trade practices.
Trump said he had instructed key government officials, including the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the United States Trade Representative (USTR), to take necessary steps to implement the new trade policy.
He framed the measure as a means to restore a level playing field for American workers and businesses, arguing that fairness in trade should be a priority.
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