Trump to implement tariffs on all nations, quashing expectations of selective measures.

WASHINGTON, March 31 — President Donald Trump announced today that the tariffs he plans to implement in the coming days will apply to all countries, not just those with the largest trade imbalances with the United States.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump dismissed speculation that the levies might be limited to a specific group of nations, stating, “You’d start with all countries, so let’s see what happens.” His remarks dashed hopes that the tariffs would be scaled back or selectively applied.

Trump’s "Liberation Day" on April 2 will see the rollout of reciprocal tariffs aimed at countering trade practices his administration deems unfair. Initially, the tariffs were expected to target countries with persistent trade imbalances, a group dubbed the "Dirty 15" by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. However, Trump indicated that no such cutoff would be applied.

Despite broadening the scope of the tariffs, Trump insisted they would still be more “generous” than those imposed on the U.S. in past decades. “They ripped us off like no country has ever been ripped off in history, and we’re going to be much nicer than they were to us,” he asserted, while emphasizing the tariffs would generate substantial revenue.

The administration has already imposed tariffs on steel, aluminum, and Chinese imports, with additional auto tariffs set to take effect on April 3. According to Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro, tariffs on auto imports could generate $100 billion annually, while other tariffs are expected to raise approximately $600 billion per year, totaling $6 trillion over a decade.

The move risks escalating global trade tensions, as several countries have already vowed to retaliate. Economists warn that widespread tariffs could fuel inflation and trigger an economic slowdown. However, Trump has defended the measures, framing them as a means to boost government revenue and revitalize American industry. — AFP