Trump Administration to Impose Reciprocal Trade Measures Against China

President Trump to Order Reciprocal Tariffs to Begin at Midnight

April 2, 2025 - In a surprise move, President Trump has announced that he will sign an executive order imposing reciprocal tariffs on certain imported goods, effective at midnight tonight.

According to sources within the White House, the tariffs will target a range of products, including steel, aluminum, and agricultural goods, in an effort to level the playing field with foreign competitors.

The move comes as a response to what the administration sees as unfair trade practices by other nations, particularly China, which has been accused of engaging in widespread intellectual property theft and dumping goods on the US market.

The tariffs are expected to impact a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, and agriculture. The administration has vowed to work with affected industries to minimize the impact of the tariffs, but many are already sounding the alarm about the potential consequences.

"This is a massive overreach by the administration," said a spokesperson for the US Chamber of Commerce. "Tariffs are a tax on American consumers and will only serve to drive up prices and hurt our economy."

The move has also drawn criticism from Democrats in Congress, who have long been skeptical of the administration's trade policies.

"This is a reckless and misguided attempt to fix a problem that doesn't exist," said Senator Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee. "Tariffs are a sledgehammer approach that will only harm American workers and businesses."

Despite the criticism, the administration remains committed to its trade agenda, and the tariffs are expected to remain in place until further notice.

In a statement, the White House said, "The President is determined to take action to protect American workers and businesses from unfair trade practices. These tariffs will serve as a powerful tool to ensure that our trading partners play by the rules and treat us fairly."

The tariffs are set to take effect at midnight, with the first wave of affected goods expected to be announced in the coming days. The move is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the global economy, and will likely be closely watched by markets and policymakers around the world.