President Donald Trump said this week that the U.S. will now hit countries with reciprocal tariffs and will treat value-added taxes as tariffs.
“On Trade, I have decided, for purposes of Fairness, that I will charge a RECIPROCAL Tariff meaning, whatever Countries charge the United States of America, we will charge them – No more, no less!” Trump posted on X.
“For purposes of this United States Policy, we will consider Countries that use the VAT System, which is far more punitive than a Tariff, to be similar to that of a Tariff,” he continued. “Sending merchandise, product, or anything by any other name through another Country, for purposes of unfairly harming America, will not be accepted.”
He said that the United States would also “make provision for subsidies provided by Countries in order to take Economic advantage of the United States.”
“Likewise, provisions will…
