Trump has pointed to America’s trade deficits as he argues that virtually all trading partners are « taking advantage » of the U.S.
President Donald Trump is about to announce his biggest batch of tariffs yet. And while major details about them are shrouded in mystery, one thing is clear: Some trade partners are about to feel a lot more pain than others.
Trump on Wednesday is set to unveil « reciprocal tariffs » against other countries that have their own duties on U.S. goods, or other policies that the White House considers unfair trade barriers. He has hyped up the kickoff date as America’s « liberation day » and « the big one. »
The plan has created significant uncertainty, and many of its core components — including the number of countries impacted, how each country’s tariff rate is being calculated, and which nations will be hardest hit — remain unclear.
While Trump has touted the new tariffs as the key to resetting America’s economic relationship with the rest of the world, some in his administration have suggested a narrower focus on a handful of prime targets.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in a Fox Business interview on March 18, singled out what he called the « Dirty 15. »
His was referring to the 15% of nations that account for the bulk of U.
