President Donald Trump declares a transformative shift in U.S. trade policy with the introduction of Liberation Day.

According to Fox News, the White House is set to implement reciprocal tariffs on April 2, 2025, marking what administration officials describe as one of the most significant economic policy changes in modern American history.

The sweeping trade reform aims to address long-standing trade imbalances and boost domestic manufacturing. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the new policy will target nations taking advantage of America's open economy while maintaining barriers to U.S. exports.

Trade reform brings dramatic economic shift

The administration's tariff plan is projected to generate substantial revenue for the United States. White House trade advisor Peter Navarro estimates the initiative will bring in $600 billion annually, accumulating to $6 trillion over the next decade.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has identified approximately 15% of nations worldwide as having significant trade imbalances with the United States. These countries, dubbed the "dirty 15," are expected to face immediate impact from the new tariff structure.

Trump clarified that the policy would affect all trading partners, not just the targeted group of nations. He emphasized that the implementation would be relatively lenient compared to how other countries have treated U.S. trade interests.

Implementation strategy targets trade deficits

The Commerce Department will oversee a new entity called the "External Revenue Service" to manage tariff collection. The administration maintains that the policy will encourage businesses to relocate operations to American soil.

Leavitt offered the following statement during Tuesday's White House press briefing:

April 2nd, 2025, will go down as one of the most important days in modern American history. Our country has been one of the most open economies in the world, and we have the consumer base, hands down — the best consumer base. But too many foreign countries have their markets closed to our exports. This is fundamentally unfair.

The White House emphasizes that the tariffs will take effect immediately following Trump's Rose Garden announcement on Wednesday, where he will be joined by his full Cabinet.

International response and economic implications

Several nations have already approached the administration with proposals to reduce their existing tariffs on U.S. goods. This proactive response suggests some countries may avoid new tariffs through pre-negotiated agreements.

The European Union has expressed concerns about the policy's impact on international trade relations. Market analysts are closely monitoring potential effects on inflation and consumer prices.

Breaking new ground in trade policy

President Trump's Liberation Day initiative represents a fundamental restructuring of U.S. trade relationships. The policy aims to address decades of trade imbalances by implementing reciprocal tariffs on nations that have historically maintained high barriers to American goods.

The April 2 announcement marks the latest phase in Trump's "America First" economic agenda, with the administration focused on reducing trade deficits and revitalizing domestic manufacturing. The success of this bold policy shift will largely depend on international responses and its impact on American consumers and businesses.