Donald Trump imposes his heavy customs duties on the rest of the world, 20 % on the EU – Liberation

For him, it is the « Liberation Day ». He said it and repeated on Wednesday during his press conference in the Garden Pink of the White House. « Today is release day (…) Today we are starting to enrich America again »said Donald Trump, before embarking on a long litany, now familiar, On how the whole world has taken advantage of the United States for years. For the rest of the world – and a good part of the Americans – this Wednesday, April 2, marks the start of a commercial nightmare, with variable variation depending on the country. The prices announced should apply on April 5 and 9, said the White House. The new taxes are planned in two stages: April 5 at 04:01 GMT for customs duties of at least 10 % on all products entering the United States, and April 9 at 4:01 a.m. for increased customs duties aimed at giants such as China and the European Union.

Donald Trump has announced prices on imports by country, without really explaining the precise logic behind these figures, but by presenting a table presenting the prices carried out by the countries, according to him, against the United States and those that Washington will now impose. The customs tariffs were calculated by based on the prices imposed on the United States and« Other forms of cheating » practiced by countries around the world that have « Pilled our country for years »he said. But China and the European Union are among the heavily sanctioned. Beijing will face prices of 34 %, while the EU is boosted by 20 %. Its neighbor and ex-member the United Kingdom gets away with 10 % prices. Japan will be taxed at 24 %, India at 26 %.

The American president also said that the United States will impose a universal basic rate of 10 %, applicable to all countries, in addition to the prices announced individually. This means that China will face customs tariffs of 44 %, in addition to the 20 % which had already been imposed. « If you want a zero rate, then you manufacture your products in the United States »warned Donald Trump.

Faced with a variegated assembly, bringing together his government, including his vice-president JD Vance, representatives of the industry but also ordinary workers, some wearing a colorful site helmet, others from the famous red cap « Maga » (Make America Great Again « , the president made the suspense last before lifting the veil on all customs rights which will now apply to products and services United States.

Shortly after 4 p.m., on time for once, Donald Trump, in a black coat, blue suit, red tie and Maga red cap in hand, moved to the podium, savoring its effect. « We have very very good news »he started, before warning that he was about to sign « A historic presidential decree » imposing « Reciprocal customs duties » all over the world. « This is our declaration of our economic independence, (…) The golden age of America is back ».

The president then stated one after the other the prices by country, sometimes stopping on a country, for an acid commentary. Beyond China and India, all of Asia and the Indian subcontinent are heavily affected: Taiwan, 32 %, South Korea, 25 %, Thailand, 36 %, Malaysia, 24 %, Indonesia, 32 %, Cambodge, 49 %, Pakistan, 29 %, Sri Lanka, 44 %, Bangladesh, 37 %. Only the Philippines harvest a more modest 17 %.

The most spared countries are those in South America, such as Brazil, Chile and Colombia which each receive prices up to 10 %. Like Singapore, Australia and Turkey. Switzerland is sanctioned by prices of 31 % and Israel by 17 %.

The press conference was organized after the closure of Wall Street. The New York Stock Exchange finished up slightly on Wednesday, despite a decreased opening. The Dow Jones won 0.56 %, the NASDAQ index advanced by 0.87 %and the enlarged S&P 500 index took 0.67 %.

A few hours before the announcements on customs tariffs, a survey carried out by the Marquette Law School revealed that more than half of the Americans (58 %) considered that the application of customs prices by the Trump administration would have a negative impact on the American economy and would cause new inflation thrust.

Updated on 02/04/2025 at 11:16 p.m. with details of the prices and tax times.