The White House has turned up the heat on India and a handful of other countries over what it calls unfair trade practices—this time pointing the finger at steep tariffs on American farm products.
With US President Donald Trump’s much-talked-about “Liberation Day” approaching on April 2, officials have hinted that a wave of reciprocal tariffs could be just around the corner.
During a press briefing on March 31, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt zeroed in on India’s 100% tariff on US agricultural products, saying it’s time for the United States to respond in kind. While India wasn’t the only country mentioned, it did feature prominently on a chart displayed during the briefing, circled in orange, white and green—the colours of the Indian flag.
Other examples cited included Japan’s 700% tariff on American rice, Canada’s nearly 300% duty on butter and cheese, and the European Union’s 50% tariff on US dairy items. The message from the White House was clear: exporting US goods into these markets has become a near-impossible task, according to the administration.
Trump has been vocal for years about what he calls “unfair” trade deals. Now, he appears ready to push back with tariffs of his own. The plan, being branded “Liberation Day,” is expected to bring in new reciprocal tariffs starting April 2, though no official list has been released just yet.
The Press Secretary didn’t spill the full details but called the move a “historic shift” in US trade policy. She said it’s about time American businesses and workers were treated fairly on the global stage. The upcoming tariffs are expected to go beyond what Trump has previously described as “temporary” and “minor”.
While much of the plan remains under wraps, a group of senior officials has been working behind the scenes to shape the policy. This includes Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, Peter Navarro from the White House team, and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor.
Although India is getting a lot of attention, Trump’s new tariffs are said to be aimed at “all the countries” with high duties on American products. According to reports, Japan, South Korea and China have already held a trilateral meeting to discuss a possible joint response to the expected US move. The three countries have apparently agreed to coordinate their strategies if the US goes ahead with the reciprocal tariffs.
While nothing is official until the announcement drops on April 2, there’s plenty of speculation around how these new tariffs could shake things up. Some observers think it could mark the beginning of a new phase in global trade relations—possibly even sparking fresh tensions. Others are waiting to see if this is a negotiating tactic or a long-term policy shift.
For now, businesses and trade partners are holding their breath to see just how far the US administration is willing to go
