Will be very kind: Donald Trump as US reciprocal tariffs deadline approaches

US President Donald Trump has announced that he will adopt a "very kind" approach towards all trading partners as he prepares to unveil new tariffs on April 2. This move could heighten the ongoing global trade conflict, as Trump seeks to address what he describes as unfair trade imbalances.

The Republican billionaire, who has wielded unprecedented executive powers since his inauguration in January this year, has maintained that reciprocal measures are essential as the world's largest economy has been "ripped off by every country", vowing a "Liberation Day" for the United States.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said, "We're going to be very nice, relatively speaking, we're going to be very kind. You're going to see in two days, which is maybe tomorrow night or probably Wednesday".

Furthermore, Trump also suggested that the tariffs might extend to specific sectors, with industries such as pharmaceuticals and semiconductors possibly being affected.

US TARIFFS TO HIT 'ALL NATIONS'

The President said that reciprocal tariffs will include all nations, beyond just a smaller group of 10 to 15 countries. "You'd start with all countries. Essentially all of the countries that we're talking about," news agency Reuters quoted Trump as saying.

The President's tariff strategy, however, has sparked significant concern globally. Critics warn that it could trigger a trade war, prompting retaliatory measures from key partners like China, Canada, and the European Union. In response, China, South Korea, and Japan have already moved to strengthen trade ties amongst themselves in preparation for Trump's expected announcement.

However, Trump dismissed concerns that such actions might push US allies toward Beijing, even noting that a deal concerning the social media platform TikTok might be tied to tariffs on China.

The uncertainty surrounding the tariffs deepened after Trump revealed that the measures would target "all countries", including the possibility of global tariffs as high as 20 per cent, which would affect nearly all US trade partners.

The Republican leader has contended that tariffs will shield American industries from unfair competition, generate revenue for the federal government, and serve as leverage in negotiating concessions from other nations.

INDIA-US TRADE TIES

The White House has said that India imposes a 100 per cent tariff on American agricultural products, arguing that such high levies, along with those imposed by other nations, make it "virtually impossible" for US exports to compete. Trump has repeatedly condemned India's steep tariffs on American goods, calling them unfair trade barriers.

"If you look at the unfair trade practices - we have 50 per cent (tariff) from the European Union on American dairy and a 700 per cent tariff from Japan on American rice. You have a 100 per cent tariff from India on American agricultural products and nearly 300 per cent from Canada on American butter and cheese. So it's time for reciprocity, and it's time for a president to make a historic change, to do what's right for the American people," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

However, India has agreed to finalise part of a bilateral trade deal with the US by this year, but neither side has given indications of any tariff exemptions, according to news agency AFP.

Last month, Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a "very smart man" and exuding confidence that ongoing trade discussions between India and the US would yield positive results.

"Prime Minister Modi was here just recently, and we've always been very good friends. India is one of the highest-tariffing nations in the world... They're very smart," Trump said. "He is a very smart man and a great friend of mine. We had very good talks. I think it's going to work out very well between India and our country. And I want to say you have a great Prime Minister".