President Trump has circled Wednesday, April 2, on the calendar and dubbed it “Liberation Day.” But for importers, exporters, and logistics professionals, it’s shaping up to be a day of high-stakes policy shifts—especially around tariffs.
Here’s what we know, what we don’t, and what our customers and partners should keep in mind.
What Exactly is ‘Liberation Day’?
“Liberation Day,” as President Trump calls it, is the self-declared rollout of his long-promised reciprocal tariff plan—a sweeping move to align U.S. tariffs with those imposed by foreign countries. The idea is simple in theory: if a country charges 20% on U.S. goods, the U.S. will charge the same back.
In reality, the execution is a bit murkier.
Trump has framed the day as the start of a new trade era, ending what he describes as decades of economic abuse. He’s promised that April 2 will “liberate” American manufacturing and reverse trade imbalances by making it more expensive to import goods from countries that don’t “play fair.”
What is Being Implemented?
While the full details are still being finalized (yes, even with just hours to go), here’s what’s on the table—or already happening:
- 25% tariff on all imported cars (goes into effect late Wednesday)
- 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, already in place
- 20–25% tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China
- Potential universal tariffs—Trump has floated a 15–20% blanket tariff across all trading partners
- “Secondary tariffs” on Russian oil if peace talks in Ukraine fail
- New sector-specific tariffs on pharmaceuticals, lumber, and possibly tech
- A sweeping reciprocal tariff framework tied to value-added taxes, non-tariff barriers, and subsidy practices
It’s also been hinted that some countries may be granted “breaks,” while others could see even higher rates. In short: it’s complicated, and evolving by the hour.
Potential Retaliations
A few of America’s biggest trading partners are already gearing up to respond:
- The EU has warned of countermeasures if targeted, especially on automobiles and agriculture. Trump’s past comments suggest the EU may face tariffs as high as 18%.
- China could face even steeper tariffs, despite already absorbing two 10% hikes. Trump had previously floated a 60% tariff on Chinese goods during his campaign.
- Universal Tariffs? Economists warn that a blanket tariff—i.e. across-the-board duties on all countries—could be recessionary and inflationary, with projections showing a possible 0.5 percentage point rise in inflation and higher prices across consumer goods.
The uncertainty has already rattled markets. The S&P 500 is down, supply chains are shifting, and some importers are rushing to get ahead of the new costs.
What Should You Do Right Now?
While “Liberation Day” feels more like a cliffhanger than a conclusion, there are a few practical steps importers and exporters can take:
- Review your landed costs: With new tariffs potentially affecting multiple categories and countries, it’s a good time to reassess total landed cost calculations.
- Talk to us: M.E. Dey is monitoring developments closely. If you have goods on the water or in the pipeline, we can help you understand your exposure and consider strategic actions like tariff engineering or sourcing adjustments.
- Watch for changes beyond April 2: Experts widely agree that this week is the start of a new phase, not the end. Expect continued negotiations, exemptions, and rule changes over the coming weeks and months.
- Be flexible: This is a volatile moment. Between reciprocal tariffs, sector-specific actions, and secondary sanctions, agility is key. Having backup suppliers or diversified sourcing strategies may pay off.
Anything Else?
Yes. Even Trump’s own economic advisers are saying they don’t have a crystal-clear idea of what exactly will be announced on April 2. One White House official summed it up with: “The president has got a heck of a lot of analysis before him.”
In other words: expect surprises, expect adjustments, and expect this to be just the beginning.
M.E. Dey will continue to provide updates as official announcements roll out. If you have specific concerns about your freight, commodity classifications, or country of origin exposure—don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you navigate the noise.