President Trump defended the president's memorandum of understanding on Saturday proposing mutual tariffs on a true social post, saying the move would ensure a “a level playing field for American workers.”
Trump said the United States is being treated unfairly by other countries, including both friends and enemies.
“This system will soon bring fairness and prosperity back to the previous complex and unfair trading system,” Trump wrote in the Truth Social Post.
“The US has supported many countries over the years with huge financial costs. Now it's time for these countries to remember this and treat us fairly. A level competition for American workers. It's a place for me,” the post read.
The president added that he has directed the Secretary of State, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Treasury and US Trade Representative (USTR) to “do everything necessary to deliver reciprocity” to the trade system.
Trump said the administration would consider countries that use a VAT system called “a lot more punitive than tariffs.”
“It is unacceptable to send anything through other countries under a product, product or other name with the aim of an unfairly hurting America,” he wrote.
“If the country feels that the US is too high, all they have to do is to reduce or end tariffs on us,” the president added. “There are no customs duties when manufacturing or building products in the United States,” the Post further states.
On Thursday, Trump signed a memorandum of understanding from the president, which proposed mutual tariffs. He said it would crack down on unfair and discriminatory tariffs from both the US enemy and allies.
Mutual tariffs are tailored to individual foreign trade partners and focus on five key areas: Financial impact on US companies and consumers due to US property tariffs, unfair taxes, foreign policies, exchange rates, etc. imposed by the US discriminatory trade practices identified by trade representatives.
Although tariffs were not immediately imposed, signing the memo allows his administration to begin the review process and start them.
White House officials said Trump wanted to move forward with tariffs, which would be “weeks” and not more than “months” until they come into effect.
Previously, Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent defended Trump's decision to study proposed mutual tariffs rather than enact them immediately.
“As you know with President Trump, you should take him with his words. This is not a theatre. The April 1 deadline will apply to the Department of Commerce for US products. This is for research on global tariffs.“Morning with Maria.”
