New Tax Signal in Trade from Trump

President Donald Trump of the United States stated that the tariff rate for automobiles, drugs, and chips could be around 25 percent. President Donald Trump made statements at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida after signing presidential decrees. Trump mentioned that many companies had been in contact with him and wanted to return to the US due to tariff, tax, and incentive policies, announcing that the chip and automobile companies returning to the country would be announced in the coming weeks. When asked about the tariff rate for automobiles, Trump noted that he would probably announce this on April 2nd, but that it would be around 25 percent. Trump also explained that tariffs for semiconductors and drugs would be 25 percent or higher, and that they would significantly increase throughout the year. Trump expressed the desire to give these companies time to return to the country, stating, “Because when they come to the US and have facilities or factories here, there is no tariff. So, we want to give them a little bit of a chance.” Trump mentioned that the European Union had lowered its automobile tariffs to the level applied by the US and that they had saved a significant amount. In response to a question about whether he would continue to allow Venezuela to export oil products through Chevron and other energy companies, Trump answered, “Maybe not, we are looking into it.”