4 a.m. on the 3rd, Korea Standard Time
Possibility Raised for Early Disclosure of Specific Details
Scott Besant, U.S. Treasury Secretary, stated in an interview with Fox News on the 31st (local time) that there will be an announcement regarding President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on the 2nd (4 a.m. Korean time on the 3rd).
Earlier, President Trump, when asked about the details of the reciprocal tariffs during a meeting with reporters at the White House that day, replied, "Maybe tomorrow night (April 1) or perhaps Wednesday (April 2) you will see it." Regarding the tariff rates, President Trump said, "Whatever they (other countries) impose on us, we will impose as well, but we will be kinder than they are," adding, "The numbers (tariff rates) will be lower than the tariffs they imposed on us, and in some cases, much lower."
When asked if there are countries that will not be subject to reciprocal tariffs, President Trump responded, "Not all countries have made a lot of money off the U.S., but almost all have. However, not everyone has, and we will be very kind to those countries that have not."
Regarding concerns that tariffs might push U.S. allies South Korea and Japan to cooperate more with China, President Trump answered, "I am not concerned." This was in response to a question about the trilateral economic and trade ministers' meeting held by South Korea, China, and Japan in Seoul on the 30th, where they agreed to continue and expand cooperation in economic and trade fields.
When asked whether negotiations related to China's video platform TikTok are linked to the China tariff negotiations, President Trump replied, "No. But it could be. As you know, I have used tariffs for various other reasons."
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt also stated during a press briefing at the White House that President Trump's announcement on reciprocal tariffs will take place on the 2nd in the White House Rose Garden with all cabinet members present. At this event, Press Secretary Levitt listed unfair trade practices by other countries, including the European Union's 50% dairy tariffs, Japan's 700% rice tariffs, India's 100% agricultural tariffs, and Canada's 300% butter and cheese tariffs.
Accordingly, there is speculation that the specific details of the reciprocal tariffs may be disclosed to the media as early as the night of the 1st, with President Trump's official announcement scheduled for the 2nd.
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