Trump says will be 'kind' with tariffs

President insists retaliatory trade measures are needed because United States has been 'ripped off by every country in the world', writes Beiyi Seow

- Beiyi Seow

U.S. trading partners were bracing yesterday for an expected fresh raft of Donald Trump tariffs, while the US president promised to be “very ‘kind’ in addressing what he says are unfair trade imbalances.

Mr Trump—who has been making unprecedented use of presidential powers since taking office in January — said he would announce as early as last night exactly what “reciprocal tariffs” will be imposed.

The Republican insists that action is needed because the world’s biggest economy has been “ripped off by every country in the world” and is now promising “Liberation Day” for the US.

Asked for details, he told reporters on Monday: “You’re going to see in two days, what it is. Maybe tomorrow more reasonably be decided,” Mr Trump added. “We’re going to be very nice, relatively speaking, we’re going to be very kind.”

Critics warn that the strategy risks a global trade war, provoking a chain reaction of retaliation by major trading partners like China, Canada and the European Union. Over the weekend, China, South Korea and Japan agreed to strengthen free trade between themselves.

But Mr Trump said he was not worried the levies would push allies towards Beijing, adding that a deal on Tiktok could also be tied to China tariffs.