President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency in the United States to safeguard national sovereignty and strengthen economic security, according to a briefing on the White House website.
Speaking from the Rose Garden, Trump stated that foreign trade policies have created a national emergency, leading him to issue an executive order imposing tariffs to protect American workers and enhance the country’s economic position.
He cited the ongoing trade deficit as a key issue, arguing that it has weakened the US manufacturing base, disrupted supply chains, and increased reliance on foreign adversaries for critical defense-related materials.
Trump is invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to address this crisis, blaming unfair trade practices such as currency manipulation and excessive value-added taxes (VAT) from other nations.
Under this order, a 10% tariff will be applied to all imported goods starting April 5, 2025, at 12:01 AM EST.
Additionally, countries with significant trade imbalances with the US will face individual reciprocal tariff increases, taking effect on April 9, 2025, at 12:01 AM EST.
These measures will remain in place until the president determines that the trade deficit and unfair trade practices have been addressed.
Trump emphasized that the US will no longer allow itself to be exploited for the benefit of other nations, asserting that tariffs are necessary to ensure fair trade and protect American jobs.
The White House noted that studies support the effectiveness of tariffs in achieving economic and national security goals.
US Escalates Global Trade War
On April 2, President Trump signed an executive order imposing reciprocal tariffs on all imports.
Effective immediately, a 25% tariff has been placed on foreign-made vehicles. Additionally, imports from Ukraine will be subject to a 10% tariff.
In response, the European Union has warned that it may restrict access to its market for American goods.
Disclaimer- Our team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and maintain its credibility. We are committed to providing honest and reliable content for our readers.