📰 Donald Trump is weighing a two-step tariff plan: using emergency powers for immediate duties while longer trade investigations proceed. His goal is to fund tax cuts and strengthen legal backing for “reciprocal” tariffs. He plans to announce tariffs on April 2, calling it “liberation day,” sparking global lobbying for exemptions. Trump promises “substantial” tariffs but may grant some countries breaks. Options include using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act or Section 338 of the 1930 Tariff Act to impose tariffs up to 50%, or tariffs on car imports based on national security grounds. A faster but temporary measure, Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, is seen as unlikely. The administration is split: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick pushes aggressive deals, while U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer favors legal processes and formal investigations. Foreign countries are offering concessions, with the UK considering softer tech taxes and the EU meeting U.S. officials this week. Trump’s trade actions have been unpredictable, with sweeping tariffs imposed and sometimes quickly reversed under pressure.

Donald Trump is weighing a two-step tariff plan: using emergency powers for immediate duties while longer trade investigations proceed. His goal is to fund tax cuts and strengthen legal backing for “reciprocal” tariffs.

He plans to announce tariffs on April 2, calling it “liberation day,” sparking global lobbying for exemptions. Trump promises “substantial” tariffs but may grant some countries breaks.

Options include using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act or Section 338 of the 1930 Tariff Act to impose tariffs up to 50%, or tariffs on car imports based on national security grounds. A faster but temporary measure, Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, is seen as unlikely.

The administration is split: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick pushes aggressive deals, while U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer favors legal processes and formal investigations.

Foreign countries are offering concessions, with the UK considering softer tech taxes and the EU meeting U.S. officials this week.

Trump’s trade actions have been unpredictable, with sweeping tariffs imposed and sometimes quickly reversed under pressure.