WASHINGTON, USA – On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump enacted significant new tariffs in a bold move he termed “liberation day,” aimed at challenging global trade practices and recalibrating U.S. trade relationships.
The announcement is set to escalate ongoing trade tensions, particularly with major global trade partners.
Trump revealed that the U.S. would introduce “reciprocal tariffs,” imposing tariffs of about half of what other countries charge U.S. exports.
Notably, Nigeria has been included in this tariff plan. Under the new rules, Nigerian exports to the U.S. will face a 14% tariff, which is in contrast to the 27% tariff that Nigeria currently charges on U.S. goods.
In his address, Trump presented a chart comparing U.S. tariffs with those of other countries, claiming that China charges a tariff of 67%, prompting a reciprocal 34% tariff from the U.S.
The chart further showed tariffs on other countries, with the European Union set to face a 20% tariff, Vietnam at 46%, Taiwan at 32%, Japan at 24%, India at 26%, South Korea at 25%, Thailand at 36%, and Cambodia at 49%.
Trump’s actions were accompanied by the signing of two executive orders.
The first closes the “de minimus loophole” on China, which previously allowed China to export low-cost goods to the U.S. without paying taxes or duties.
The second executive order implements the reciprocal tariffs, including a 25% tariff on all imported cars and a range of 10% to 49% tariffs on other imported goods.
The president argued that these tariffs would generate “$6 trillion in investments,” though experts warn that the burden of these tariffs will likely fall on American businesses and consumers, essentially making it the largest “tax hike” in U.S. history.
While European countries are set to face a 20% tariff on all exports to the U.S., the European Union has yet to formally respond. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to address the issue today, following Trump’s announcement.
