For Immediate Release: April 2, 2025
Washington, D.C. — President Trump announced this Wednesday significant tariffs will be applied to the United States’ least reciprocal trading partners and a 10% baseline tariff on other nations’ imports.
Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul said:
“Today’s trade action prioritizes domestic manufacturers and America’s workers. These hardworking men and women have seen unfair trade cut the ground from beneath their feet for decades. They deserve a fighting chance. Our workers can out-compete anyone in the world, but they need a level playing field to do it. This trade reset is a necessary step in the right direction.
“The United States maintains one of the world’s most open markets, but the trade practices of countries like China — and even some of our allies — have damaged communities throughout the country, shutting down factories and eliminating family-supporting jobs. While I know some policymakers are eager to derive significant revenue from the tariffs, I’d prefer to see more manufacturing jobs and domestic supply chains established, and I hope that is the priority here.
“After decades of policies geared toward offshoring, there will be an adjustment period as businesses restructure their supply chains to adapt to the tariffs, but America can no longer avoid facing the trade imbalances that have plagued us for more than two decades. Global companies that led the offshoring charge should be held accountable when they seek to hike prices for American consumers. For the past three decades, these corporations have moved millions of jobs out of America and gotten richer. Now they have a choice to make, and their best choice will be to move the production back.
“Going forward, we must match today’s trade action with comprehensive policies and incentives that spur investment in U.S. factories and supply chains. There is still much more work to do to strengthen our trade laws and address critical sectors.”
The U.S. trade deficit in goods surged to $1.2 trillion last year. In 2024, America’s largest bilateral trade deficits came from China ($295.4), the European Union ($235.6), Mexico ($171.8), and Vietnam ($123.5).
The Trump administration previously announced a 25% tariff on all auto imports to effect on April 3.
Paul is available for interviews.