Trump Declares “Liberation Day” with Historic Tariff Order, Promises Economic Rebirth

In a historic address dubbed “Liberation Day,” President Donald Trump announced a sweeping executive order on Wednesday, April 2, instituting reciprocal tariffs on nations worldwide, effective midnight tonight. Speaking outside at the White House to a crowd of autoworkers, media, and lawmakers, Trump hailed the move as a pivotal moment to reclaim America’s industrial might and economic destiny, promising to “make America wealthy again—good and wealthy.”

The president framed the tariffs as a response to decades of exploitation by foreign nations. “For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike,” Trump declared, pointing to the suffering of American steelworkers, autoworkers, farmers, and craftsmen. He accused foreign leaders of stealing jobs, ransacking factories, and dismantling the “once-beautiful American Dream,” which he said had faded from public discourse in recent years.

Policy of Reciprocity

The executive order introduces a policy of reciprocity: “They do it to us, and we do it to them. Very simple. Can’t get any simpler than that,” Trump explained. He cited stark disparities in trade practices, such as the U.S. charging a 2.4% tariff on motorcycles while Thailand imposes 60%, India 70%, and Vietnam 75%. Similarly, the U.S. has levied a 2.5% tariff on foreign automobiles, while the European Union charges over 10% plus 20% VATs, and India hits 70%. Starting tonight, a 25% tariff will apply to all foreign-made cars entering the U.S.

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Trump called this “one of the most important days in American history,” a “declaration of economic independence” aimed at reversing decades of industrial decline. He promised the policy would bring “jobs and factories roaring back into our country,” supercharge domestic industry, and lower consumer prices through increased competition. “This will be indeed the golden age of America,” he asserted.

The event featured Vice President J.D. Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson, and much of Trump’s cabinet, alongside senators and congressmen celebrating a recent electoral success in Florida, securing a House majority of seven. Trump also invited Brian, an autoworker from Michigan, to speak. “I’ve watched my entire life Metro Detroit area close,” Brian said. “Donald Trump’s policies are going to bring product back into those underutilized plants… We support Donald Trump’s policies on tariffs 100%.”

Farmers and Ranchers

Farmers and ranchers were also a focus, with Trump criticizing Canada’s 250-300% tariffs on U.S. dairy and Japan’s 700% tariff on American rice. “It’s not fair to our farmers, it’s not fair to our country,” he said, noting the U.S. subsidizes nations like Canada ($200 billion annually) and Mexico ($300 billion). He argued that chronic trade deficits—exacerbated by NAFTA, which he called “the worst trade deal ever made”—have cost 90,000 factories and 5 million manufacturing jobs, leaving foreign nations owning $26 trillion more in American assets than vice versa.

The president touted early economic wins, including $6 trillion in pledged investments from companies like Apple ($500 billion), TSMC ($200 billion), and Nvidia, spurred by the tariff threat and his November 5 election victory. “They don’t want to pay the tariffs, and the way they’re not paying it is to build their plant here,” he said. He also highlighted a drop in egg prices by 59% and grocery costs, crediting Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

Looking ahead, Trump urged Congress to pass “one big beautiful bill” with the largest tax cuts in history, including an interest deduction for loans on American-made cars, while preserving Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. “We’re going to produce the cars and ships, chips, airplanes, minerals, and medicines that we need right here in America,” he vowed, predicting a transformation unseen in any nation’s history.

Critics, whom Trump dismissed as “globalists and the fake news,” have warned of economic fallout, but he countered with his first-term record: “The stock market went up 88%, with NASDAQ going up 155%—more than any president has ever had.” He insisted past predictions about trade policies proved “totally wrong,” citing NAFTA and China’s trade advantages.

As the speech closed, Trump reflected on broader goals—ending the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East tensions—while celebrating nearly 100 days in office. “We’ve been given credit by a lot of people, even some of the fake news, for having done more in that time than any other administration in the history of our country,” he said. With the tariff order signed, he concluded, “It’s going to be Liberation Day in America… one of the most important days in the history of our country. God bless you, and God bless America.”