Washington DC (TDI): Today, President Donald Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum ordering a comprehensive plan to restore fairness in United States trade relationships and counter non-reciprocal trading arrangements.
President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum ordering the development of a comprehensive plan for restoring fairness in U.S. trade relationships and countering non-reciprocal trading arrangements.
Learn more: https://t.co/c8eo6PXzFQ pic.twitter.com/CrjLeRH8zI
— US Embassy SA (@USEmbassySA) February 18, 2025
The “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” will seek to correct longstanding imbalances in international trade and ensure fairness throughout the US.
Read More: Trump Warns of Trade War ‘Pain’ for Americans
This plan aims to prioritize the American worker first, improve their competitiveness in industrial sectors, reduce their trade deficit, and bolster our economic and national security.
According to the fact sheet released by The White House, “the US is one of the most open economies in the world, yet our trading partners keep their markets closed to our exports. This lack of reciprocity is unfair and contributes to our large and persistent annual trade deficit.”
“There are endless examples where our trading partners do not give the United States reciprocal treatment”, as mentioned in the fact sheet.
“The US imposes a relatively low tariff of 2.5% on ethanol imports. In contrast, Brazil levies a significantly higher tariff of 18% on US ethanol exports. As a result, in 2024, the US imported over $200 million worth of ethanol from Brazil, while its exports to Brazil amounted to only $52 million.” The fact sheet also provided additional statistics.
Read More: Trump imposes tariffs on Brazilian ethanol imports
The average tariff on agricultural goods in the US is 5%. In India, the average tariff is much higher at 39%. India charges a 100% tariff on US motorcycles, while the US has a 2.4% tariff on Indian motorcycles.
The European Union can freely export shellfish to America. However, it prevents shellfish exports from 48 of the US states, even though it pledged in 2020 to speed up export approvals.
As a result, in 2023, the US imported $274 million in shellfish from the EU while exporting only $38 million.
As President Trump said in the Presidential Memorandum on American First Trade Policy on his first day in office, trade policy is a critical component of our economic security and national security.
According to the fact sheet,
“When a global surplus of steel and aluminum threatened our national security, President Trump acted quickly to protect America. He imposed tariffs on imports of these materials.”
Just a few days back, President Trump introduced tariffs, a strategic move to compelling Canada and Mexico to implement vital changes at their northern and southern borders. He also shared the tariff percentage, which is 25% for Mexico, 25% for Canada, and 10% for China.
