Trump Says He Will Be 'Kind' as He Prepares to Unveil New Tariffs

US President Donald Trump on March 31 said he would be "very kind" to trading partners when he unveils further tariffs this week, risking global turmoil to address what he says are unfair trade imbalances.

- 

WASHINGTON -

Mr. Trump, who has been making unprecedented use of presidential powers since taking office in January, said he would announce exactly what "reciprocal tariffs" will be imposed.

The Republican billionaire insists that reciprocal action is needed because the world's biggest economy has been "ripped off by every country in the world," promising "Liberation Day" for the US. He could also unveil more sector-specific levies.

Asked for details, he told reporters on March 31: "You're going to see in two days, which is maybe tomorrow night or probably (April 2)."

But he 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.

Already, China, South Korea, and Japan agreed on March 30 to strengthen free trade among themselves, ahead of Mr. Trump's expected tariff announcement.

But Mr. Trump said on March 31 he was not worried that his action would push allies towards Beijing, adding that a deal on TikTok could also be tied to China tariffs.