(March 31): US President Donald Trump said he plans to start his reciprocal tariff push with “all countries”, tamping down speculation that he could limit the initial scope of tariffs set to be unveiled on Wednesday, April 2. 

“You would start with all countries, so let’s see what happens,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “I haven’t heard a rumour about 15 countries, 10 or 15.” 

Trump is set to launch so-called reciprocal tariffs on April 2, a centrepiece of his plan to rebalance global trade and boost US manufacturing while collecting tariff payments to fund his domestic policy priorities, including an extension of tax cuts from his first administration and additional tax promises made during the 2024 campaign. 

The White House hasn’t yet outlined what tariffs are coming, how they will be calculated, or what countries will need to do to secure coveted exemptions. Trump has also said his tariffs will account for other countries’ non-tariff barriers, though hasn’t detailed how those calculations will be made. The administration also hasn’t specified when these new tariffs will take effect. 

“We are going to be much nicer than they were to us, but it’s substantial money for the country,” he said.

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