President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders in the Oval Office, with a focus on trade policy. The White House announced that Trump is expected to unveil a reciprocal tariff plan prior to his scheduled meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 12. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that the president is committed to this approach, which would impose tariffs on countries that have levied import duties on U.S. goods.
Trump has previously stated his intention to apply these reciprocal tariffs broadly, emphasizing a straightforward principle: if a country charges tariffs on U.S. imports, the U.S. will respond in kind. House Speaker Mike Johnson noted that the administration might consider exemptions for key sectors such as pharmaceuticals and the auto industry.
This anticipated announcement signals Trump's ongoing commitment to making tariffs a central part of his economic strategy. In his early days in office, Trump enacted significant tariffs on imports from China, Canada, and Mexico, although he temporarily paused these tariffs on the latter two countries after reaching agreements on border security and drug trafficking.
In a related development, reports suggest that Prime Minister Modi is preparing to reduce tariffs in various sectors ahead of his meeting with Trump, likely as a measure to prevent escalating trade tensions between the two nations. Modi's visit will also involve discussions with other officials from the Trump administration, including prominent figures such as Elon Musk, who oversees initiatives aimed at government efficiency.