Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In a sweeping economic move, President Donald Trump announced the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on countries worldwide while affirming that Canada and Mexico will remain exempt under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). A White House official confirmed that the two North American partners will not be subject to the new tariffs, despite the broader changes aimed at countering what the president described as unfair economic practices.
At a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, President Trump unveiled the new tariff regime, declaring it a “declaration of economic independence.” “It’s very simple, it couldn’t be simpler, it’s our declaration of economic independence,” Trump said. The president’s announcement was part of what he termed his “Liberation Day,” a symbolic moment meant to mark a definitive break from previous trade imbalances.
During the announcement, the president specifically pointed to the substantial annual deficits incurred by the United States with its northern neighbors. “In Mexico’s case, it’s $300 billion a year; in Canada’s case, it’s close to $200 billion a year,” Trump noted, underscoring his administration’s rationale for the policy shift, although the two major trading partners are mostly exempt.
The new tariff policy will differentiate between USMCA-compliant goods and those that do not meet the agreement’s standards. While USMCA-compliant products will continue to enjoy a tariff rate of 0 percent, non-compliant goods will face a 25 percent tariff. Additionally, energy products and potash minerals that fall outside the terms of the USMCA will incur a 10 percent tariff. Had the current IEEPA orders on fentanyl and immigration been repealed, the president indicated that non-USMCA goods would instead be subject to a reciprocal 12 percent tariff.
The announcement comes at a time when the Trump administration is recalibrating its trade policies to address what it sees as longstanding imbalances and unfair trade practices. With the global tariffs set to take effect on Thursday, April 3, at the stroke of midnight, the policy shift is poised to reshape trade relations and assert American economic sovereignty on the world stage.
“This action is not just about tariffs—it’s about reasserting American strength and ensuring that our trade partners abide by agreements that are fair to American workers and businesses,” Trump added as he prepared to sign the decree, vowing that the move would “make America greater than ever.”
As international markets brace for the impact of the new measures, questions remain about the long-term effects on global trade dynamics and the response from U.S. allies. However, for now, the administration is focused on moving forward with a bold new chapter in American economic policy.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In a sweeping economic move, President Donald Trump announced the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on countries worldwide while affirming that Canada and Mexico will remain exempt under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). A White House official confirmed that the two North American partners will not be subject to the new tariffs, despite the broader changes aimed at countering what the president described as unfair economic practices.
