US President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, focusing on India's import duties. He criticized India's tariffs on automobile imports, stating, "India charges us auto tariffs higher than 100%."
During his speech, Trump announced that reciprocal tariffs would take effect on April 2. He expressed his belief that the United States has been taken advantage of by numerous countries for decades and pledged to put an end to this practice.
He remarked, "Under my administration, you will face tariffs, and in some instances, they will be quite substantial. Other nations have imposed tariffs on us for years, and now it's our turn to respond. On average, countries like the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Canada impose significantly higher tariffs on us than we do on them. This is unjust. India, for instance, imposes auto tariffs exceeding 100 percent."
Trump also highlighted the tariffs from the European Union, China, Brazil, and Mexico, indicating that the US would implement tariffs on other nations in response to their actions against American products.
He noted, "China's average tariff on our goods is double what we charge them, and South Korea's average tariff is four times higher. Consider that—four times higher—despite the military and other support we provide to South Korea. This situation is occurring with both allies and adversaries."
Emphasizing the unfairness of the current system, Trump stated, "This system has never been fair to the United States. Therefore, on April 2, I wanted to announce it on April 1, but I didn't want to be accused of an April Fool's joke. This decision has significant financial implications for us, but we will proceed in April. I am quite superstitious. On April 2, reciprocal tariffs will be implemented, and we will impose tariffs on countries based on their tariffs against us."
The President of the United States pledged to impose taxes on countries that tax the US, asserting that the nation has been taken advantage of for years by virtually every country globally.
"This is a reciprocal arrangement. Whatever taxes they impose on us, we will impose on them. If they implement non-monetary tariffs to restrict our access to their markets, we will respond with non-monetary barriers to limit their access to ours. This is a significant issue; many countries do not even permit us entry into their markets. We are poised to generate trillions of dollars and create unprecedented job opportunities. I achieved this with China and other nations. The Biden administration was unable to address these issues due to the overwhelming financial implications. We have been exploited for decades by nearly every country, and that will no longer be tolerated," he stated.
Trump emphasized that his administration has achieved more in just 43 days than most administrations do in four or eight years, asserting, "We have only just begun." He expressed confidence that the US is on the brink of an extraordinary resurgence.
"Six weeks ago, I stood under the dome of this Capitol and declared the beginning of America's golden age. Since that moment, we have taken swift and decisive actions to initiate the most successful era in our nation's history. In just 43 days, we have accomplished more than most administrations do in four or eight years, and we are only getting started. Our spirit, pride, and confidence have returned, and the American Dream is thriving like never before. The American Dream is unstoppable, and our country is on the verge of a comeback that has never been seen before and may never be seen again."
Trump stated that there is "absolutely nothing I can say" or do to satisfy Democratic lawmakers. He remarked, "This is my fifth address to Congress. Once again, I look at the Democrats before me and realize there is absolutely nothing I can say to elicit their happiness, to make them stand, smile, or applaud. There is nothing I can do."
He continued, "Even if I were to discover a cure for the most devastating disease, one that could eradicate entire nations, or reveal the solutions to the greatest economy in history, or achieve the lowest crime rates ever recorded, those present here would not applaud, would not stand, and certainly would not celebrate these monumental accomplishments. They simply will not do it, regardless of the circumstances. I have been here five times now. It is quite disheartening, and it should not be this way."
He mentioned that he has signed nearly 100 executive orders and taken over 400 executive actions since he took office on January 20.
"Over the past six weeks, I have signed nearly 100 Executive Orders and executed more than 400 Executive Actions—a record aimed at restoring common sense, safety, optimism, and prosperity throughout our great nation. The people elected me to fulfill this role, and I am doing just that," he stated.
He also addressed the declaration of a national emergency at the southern border and criticized former President Joe Biden, labeling him the "worst President in American history."
He noted, "Within hours of taking the oath of office, I declared a national emergency on our southern border. I deployed U.S. military and border patrol to counter the invasion of our country, and they have done an outstanding job! Consequently, illegal border crossings last month were the lowest ever recorded... In contrast, under Joe Biden—the worst President in American history—there were hundreds of thousands of illegal crossings each month..."
