The White House has affirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump still intends to implement new reciprocal tariff rates on April 2, despite earlier remarks from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinting at a possible delay.
A White House official stated, "The intent is to enact tariffs on April 2," emphasizing that unless trading partners equalize their tariff and non-tariff barriers—or unless the U.S. maintains higher tariffs—the new measures will go into effect as planned.
Treasury Secretary Bessent had explained on Fox Business Network's "Mornings with Maria" that on April 2, each country would receive a reciprocal tariff number reflecting its own tariff rates, non-tariff barriers, currency practices, and other factors. "For some countries, it could be quite low, for some countries, it could be quite high," he said, adding that negotiations might help avert a "tariff wall" if countries adjust their trade barriers accordingly.
The administration expects that the tariff announcements will prompt affected nations to either negotiate in advance or voluntarily reduce their trade barriers, thereby avoiding the harsher tariffs designed to protect the U.S. economy, workers, and industries. In a bid to mitigate the economic impact, Bessent suggested that if trading partners come forward with proposals to lower their tariffs, some of the new duties might be negotiated down.
Details of the reciprocal tariff plan are still being finalized, with much of the technical work being handled by the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, led by Jamieson Greer, and a team of about 200 staffers. Vice President JD Vance has also played an increasingly active role in these discussions.
The complexity of the new tariff structure is compounded by the need to factor in the different duty rates and non-tariff measures of the 186 members of the World Customs Organization. Additional challenges include accounting for regulations such as domestic content requirements and food safety standards that can disadvantage U.S. firms.
Market observers note that the administration's tariff strategy is aimed particularly at the roughly 15% of countries with the highest tariffs and substantial trade volumes with the U.S.—often dubbed the "Dirty 15." These measures come amid ongoing efforts to address what the White House sees as unfair trade practices, including currency manipulation, labor suppression, and other non-tariff barriers.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Trade Representative’s office did not immediately comment on the reciprocal tariff plan, while industry analysts remain cautious about the potential economic fallout. With the new tariffs set to trigger negotiations and possibly retaliatory measures from key trading partners, the coming days will be critical in shaping the next phase of U.S. trade policy.
The FBI is launching new investigations into two high-profile cases: the leak of a 2022 Supreme Court draft decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, and the 2023 discovery of cocaine at the White House.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced Monday it will relaunch investigations into two politically charged incidents: the 2023 discovery of cocaine at the White House and the 2022 leak of the Supreme Court’s draft opinion that overturned Roe v. Wade.
A 24-hour nationwide strike crippled Belgium’s airports, transit networks and public services on Monday, as unions walked out to protest government austerity cuts to welfare and pensions.
U.S. President Donald Trump wants a lasting ceasefire to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday.
he Trump administration has replaced the Covid.gov website, once a central hub for COVID-19 resources, with a new platform focusing on the lab leak theory regarding the virus's origins.
In a landmark moment for artists’ rights, Taylor Swift has officially bought back the master recordings of her first six albums, ending a long-running dispute over who controls her music.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed Friday that COVID-19 vaccines are still recommended for healthy children aged 6 months and older—if their doctors agree.
A 61-year-old man in Alaska rescued after being trapped facedown under a massive 700-pound boulder in a freezing glacier-fed creek for three hours.
Two foreign nationals were indicted Friday in California and Wisconsin for allegedly trying to smuggle sensitive U.S. military technology to China and target an American dissident critical of Beijing.
The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered an accident investigation into SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight, which ended with the spacecraft spinning out of control and breaking apart over the Indian Ocean.
AnewZ takes to the streets of Yerevan and Baku to ask a simple yet deeply complex question: How do you see peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan? In the first part of our special report, we hear the hopes, doubts, and scars still shaping people’s perspectives on both sides.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Kyiv faced a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault overnight, with explosions and gunfire echoing throughout the city, forcing residents to shelter in subway stations.
In a landmark moment for artists’ rights, Taylor Swift has officially bought back the master recordings of her first six albums, ending a long-running dispute over who controls her music.
A 61-year-old man in Alaska rescued after being trapped facedown under a massive 700-pound boulder in a freezing glacier-fed creek for three hours.
Two foreign nationals were indicted Friday in California and Wisconsin for allegedly trying to smuggle sensitive U.S. military technology to China and target an American dissident critical of Beijing.
The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered an accident investigation into SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight, which ended with the spacecraft spinning out of control and breaking apart over the Indian Ocean.
Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blažek resigned Friday after opposition parties called for his removal over a controversy involving bitcoins donated to the Ministry of Justice.
In a landmark moment for artists’ rights, Taylor Swift has officially bought back the master recordings of her first six albums, ending a long-running dispute over who controls her music.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed Friday that COVID-19 vaccines are still recommended for healthy children aged 6 months and older—if their doctors agree.
A 61-year-old man in Alaska rescued after being trapped facedown under a massive 700-pound boulder in a freezing glacier-fed creek for three hours.
Two foreign nationals were indicted Friday in California and Wisconsin for allegedly trying to smuggle sensitive U.S. military technology to China and target an American dissident critical of Beijing.
The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered an accident investigation into SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight, which ended with the spacecraft spinning out of control and breaking apart over the Indian Ocean.
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