The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump will announce new reciprocal tariffs on April 2, with auto tariffs set to go into effect on April 3. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump is finalizing his tariff strategy with the help of trade advisors, aiming to secure a “perfect deal” for Americans.
Speaking to reporters, Leavitt explained that Trump dedicated Tuesday to “perfecting” the tariff plan. “My understanding is that the tariff announcement will come tomorrow,” Leavitt said, adding that Trump was working closely with his trade and tariff team. “He is with his trade and tariff team right now, perfecting it to make sure this is a perfect deal for the American people and the American workers, and you will all find out in about 24 hours from now,” she continued.
Leavitt also revealed that Trump is open to negotiations with foreign governments and corporate leaders seeking lower rates, noting that several countries had already reached out to the administration regarding the tariff plans.
“Of course, the president is always available to take a call, always available for a good negotiation, but he is very much concerned with righting the wrongs of the past and demonstrating that American workers get a fair deal,” Leavitt said.
Trump’s “Liberation Day” Tariff Announcement
Trump has pledged to announce the new tariffs on “Liberation Day,” with the formal announcement scheduled for 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday in the White House Rose Garden. These reciprocal tariffs are part of a broader series of import levies Trump has imposed since taking office, including high tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, sector-specific tariffs on metals, and, more recently, on imported automobiles.
The auto tariffs, which Trump has described as “permanent,” are expected to begin on Thursday, April 3, following the announcement. This latest move represents the most aggressive step in Trump’s tariff agenda, which has been a central feature of his presidency.
While the full details of the tariffs remain unclear, the announcement is expected to be a significant escalation in Trump’s trade policy. According to CNN, the “Liberation Day” trade policy is likely to be the most ambitious tariff action taken by Trump, the most tariff-focused president in modern history.
Despite having settled on a plan, Trump’s decision on the specifics of the tariffs caught some White House officials off guard, with reports suggesting that the details had not been fully shared within the administration.
Questions Remain on Scope of Tariffs
It is still unclear whether Trump intends to impose individual tariffs on specific trading partners, target certain countries, or apply a universal tariff—potentially as high as 20 percent—on all imports. While Trump’s advisers are publicly backing the tariff agenda, there is internal disagreement about the approach and scope of the new measures.
