Vietnam had a trade surplus of $123.5 billion with the U.S. last year, leading analysts to warn earlier this year that the country was most at risk. Hanoi had tried to win itself a reprieve by preemptively cutting import duties in the lead-up to April 2.

Donald Trump has dubbed Wednesday April 2, 2025, "Liberation Day." What is it, and how does it apply to tariffs in the United States?

Mr. Trump announced last week that vehicles and auto parts imported into the U.S. will be subject to a 25% tariff rate. The auto tariffs are expected to go into effect at midnight, just hours after the latest round of tariff announcements by the president Wednesday afternoon.

The Trump administration is planning to impose a round of fresh tariffs on April 2, a day President Trump has dubbed " Liberation Day. " The announcement is viewed by economists as the culmination of his "America First Trade Policy," an executive order he signed on his first day in office aimed at revitalizing U.S. manufacturing.

All U.S. imports face a baseline 10% tariff, effective Saturday. + Higher rates will apply to partners judged "bad actors" on trade. For example, Japan faces a 24% duty and the European Union faces a 20% levy,

Trump has repeatedly called April 2 "Liberation Day." He is expected to enact reciprocal tariffs on major trading partners, especially those that contribute the most to the $1.2 trillion U.S. trade deficit.

They could not have imagined a president would use emergency authority to bypass Congress and impose tariffs on the entire world.”

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