Trump’s reciprocal tariffs: What are they? How will they work?

President Trump and his economic advisers say they will outline his “reciprocal tariff” strategy on Wednesday, April 2. As the president stated on social media, “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!” Many trade experts are skeptical of this approach.

On Thursday, April 3, the Economic Studies program at Brookings convened a panel of experts to examine this latest development in Trump’s trade and tariff policy. Participating will be Sarah Bianchi, former deputy United States trade representative; Mary Lovely, Anthony M. Solomon senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics; and Kelly Ann Shaw, deputy assistant to the president for international economic affairs during the first Trump administration. Ana Swanson of the New York Times moderated. 

Viewers asked questions in advance by emailing [email protected] and on X @BrookingsEcon using the hashtag #ReciprocalTariff.