U.S. President Donald Trump clarified on Monday that tariffs on cars and pharmaceuticals would be implemented soon.
However, he didn’t specify April 2 as the date for announcing the reciprocal tariffs.
Since he had earlier said that car and pharmaceutical tariffs would go into effect along with the reciprocal tariffs, this is a sign that those tariffs might be delayed.
According to foreign media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Trump declared during the cabinet meeting that tariffs on cars would be announced “very shortly” and tariffs on pharmaceuticals would be revealed “at some point.”
He did not say whether “very shortly” referred to April 2, the date planned for the reciprocal tariffs announcement.
Trump has referred to April 2 as Liberation Day, claiming it will be the day the U.S. is freed by retaliating with reciprocal tariffs against its trade partners that have imposed tariff and non-tariff barriers on American exports.
At the cabinet meeting, he said, “For DECADES we have been ripped off and abused by every nation in the World, both friend and foe,” and emphasized that April 2, the day reciprocal tariffs are announced, would be the day the U.S. would be freed from that exploitation.
Trump also said that in times of war, the U.S. needs large amounts of steel, pharmaceuticals, and aluminum, but these are no longer being produced domestically. He expressed confidence that once tariffs are implemented very soon, factories will return to the U.S., and domestic production will increase.
However, Trump appears to have backed away from his initial plan to announce tariffs on cars, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products on the same day as the reciprocal tariffs.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai said that while tariffs on certain items will be implemented, nothing has been decided yet.
Desai stated that President Trump has consistently aimed to protect industries important to the U.S. economy and national security harmed by unfair foreign trade practices. However, he added that no final decision has been made on whether specific industry tariffs will be included in the reciprocal tariff announcement on April 2.
Previously, Trump said he would impose a 25% tariff on cars, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and other items.
A 25% tariff has already been imposed on steel and aluminum since the 12th of last month.
