“President Trump doesn’t just want American industries to survive; he wants them to thrive. That’s the goal of his tariffs and trade policy,” Leavitt responded. “Wednesday will be ‘Liberation Day’ in America, as President Trump has proudly called it, because he will end decades of unfair trade practices that have harmed American workers and hollowed out our middle class.”

Leavitt emphasized that the new tariffs would put an end to the outsourcing of jobs and ensure that products are made by American workers. “The rest of the world will feel what the American public has experienced for years. President Trump is committed to ensuring reciprocity, treating other countries the way we’ve been treated. We are going to make America wealthy again with significant revenue,” she added.

She continued, “This will bring trillions of dollars back to the United States, and we’ve already seen investments pouring in. In just two months, President Trump has secured more private investment than the Biden Administration did in four years. This isn’t by chance; it’s because we have a president who understands business and prioritizes the American people’s interests, standing up for American workers. More investments mean more jobs and greater prosperity for hardworking families across the country.”

Trump has designated April 2 as “Liberation Day,” when he plans to unveil a comprehensive tariff plan. This will include raising tariffs on all Chinese goods, as well as existing tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles.

“You’d start with all countries,” Trump stated to reporters aboard Air Force One, indicating that the tariffs would target a broad range of nations.

While he did not specify which countries would be affected, White House economics adviser Kevin Hassett recently mentioned that the administration would focus on 10 to 15 nations with the worst trade imbalances.

Trump views tariffs as a negotiating tool to secure better terms for the U.S. and to protect the domestic economy from unfair international competition. He has pledged to impose duties that match those levied by countries that impose fees on U.S. exports and plans to implement a series of reciprocal tariffs against those nations.

In February, Trump signed a memorandum directing U.S. trade officials to compile a list of specific countermeasures for each country. He hinted last week that he might consider reducing his reciprocal plans, potentially enacting tariffs at lower rates than those charged by other nations.

This announcement comes as the British government is racing to secure a last-minute post-Brexit trade agreement with the United States to mitigate or soften tariffs on European imports. Since leaving the European Union in 2020, the U.K. has been seeking a new trade deal with the U.S., although negotiations had stalled under the previous Conservative government.

Current Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the Labour Party met with Trump at the White House in February and expressed optimism about finalizing a deal. “We’re engaged in discussions with the United States about mitigating the impact of tariffs,” Starmer said as the weekend approached.

Trump echoed that optimism, suggesting a “great” deal was in the works that could help the U.K. avoid impending tariffs. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds recently traveled to Washington to continue negotiations, and Trump and Prime Minister Starmer spoke again by phone earlier this week to discuss the way forward.

As April 2 approaches, negotiations have intensified, with Trump expected to unveil a sweeping package of reciprocal tariffs targeting several major trading partners, including the U.K. and the European Union. While Trump has already imposed tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, he has yet to penalize the EU or the U.K., although he has indicated that such actions are likely.

Trump has signaled plans to impose significant tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts, with additional tariffs on other goods expected to follow. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves stated on Thursday that Britain would not seek to “escalate” trade wars, a stance that contrasts with Canada and European nations, which have vowed to retaliate despite already imposing tariffs on American goods. For example, the EU imposes a 10 percent tariff on American automobiles, while European cars entering the U.S. face only a 2.5 percent tariff.