Donald Trump has intensified his focus on trade by issuing a detailed list of eight ‘non-tariff cheating’ acts that could potentially disrupt relations with the United States.
Despite being in the middle of a 90-day pause on tariffs, President Trump appears to remain preoccupied with the subject.
On Easter Sunday (April 20), the President took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to reveal an extensive list of eight ways countries might manipulate the tariff rules. He warned that such actions could damage trade relations with the United States.
The first item on Trump’s list was currency manipulation.
Trump has previously accused some countries of purposely devaluing their currencies to enhance their exports while making American products more costly overseas, thereby disadvantaging U.S. goods in international markets.
He also highlighted the use of VATs, describing them as acting like tariffs and export subsidies, as they tax imports while refunding costs on exports.
Trump further pointed out issues such as selling products below cost, export subsidies, other government subsidies, counterfeiting, piracy and intellectual property theft, transshipping to avoid tariffs, and protective agricultural standards, citing ‘no genetically engineered corn in the EU’ as an example.
Additionally, he included ‘protective technical standards,’ mentioning Japan’s so-called ‘bowling ball test,’ which he accused the country’s automotive industry of using in 2018.
According to Trump, Japan employs this test to deter American auto companies from selling cars in Japan.
“They take a bowling ball from 20 feet up in the air and drop it on the hood of the car. If the hood dents, the car doesn’t qualify. It’s horrible,” he reportedly stated.
Trump’s list comes with a cautionary note that ‘non-tariff barriers are just as bad as tariffs – maybe worse’ and criticized businesspeople who oppose tariffs as ‘bad at business’ and ‘really bad at politics.’
“They don’t understand or realize that I am the greatest friend that American capitalism has ever had,” he wrote.
“Since our announcement of LIBERATION DAY, many World Leaders and Business Executives have come to me asking for relief from Tariffs. It’s good to see that the World knows we are serious, because WE ARE!” He continued on the platform. “They must right the wrongs of decades of abuse, but it won’t be easy for them. We must rebuild the Wealth of our Great Country, and create true RECIPROCITY.
“But for those who want the easiest path: Come to America, and build in America!”
This announcement follows Trump’s 90-day pause on his tariff plan, announced on April 9, exempting all but China, which faces threats of tariffs as high as 245 percent.
President Trump said he allowed the pause after most countries on his list expressed interest in negotiating a trade agreement instead of retaliating with counter-tariffs. However, China retaliated promptly by applying tariffs to U.S. goods.