Donald Trump has unveiled sweeping new trade tariffs as part of his “Make America Wealthy Again” plan - and the UK is among the countries targeted. Speaking from the White House Rose Garden, the US President revealed a chart listing what he called “reciprocal tariffs”. The board compares how much different countries charge the US in tariffs and how much the US will now charge in return.
Trump said: “They charge us, we charge them. How can anybody be upset?” According to the chart, the US will now impose a 10% tariff on imports from the UK and a 20% tariff on goods from the European Union. Trump singled out several countries, accusing them of “ripping off” the United States. Trump said the new plan is based on a system of "reciprocal tariffs," matching the charges other countries place on US exports.
“It’s time the US took care of its own people,” he said, claiming trade deficits have weakened the American economy for too long.
The announcement comes as Trump pushes to revive his “America First” agenda and follows earlier tariffs introduced during his presidency on countries like China, Canada and Mexico.
He said the new levies would take effect almost immediately, warning that countries wanting to avoid the tariffs should “move production to the United States”.
The move has sparked concern in Europe, where leaders fear the start of a trade war.
Germany’s government said retaliatory tariffs could “become expensive for both sides,” while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain was “prepared for all eventualities”.
Economists have warned that widespread tariff hikes could damage global growth.
According to research by the OECD, a global trade war could shrink the world economy by over 5%, with countries like the UK and Canada among the hardest hit.
But Trump defended the plan as a necessary correction.
“We take care of countries all over the world,” he said. “We’re not going to let them take advantage of us anymore.”
