US President Donald Trump has announced that his new tariffs will apply to all countries, not just those with the biggest trade gaps with the United States.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump confirmed that the tariffs, set to be announced on April 2, would cover every nation. His administration sees these tariffs as a way to fix what they believe are unfair trade practices.

“You start with all countries, so let’s see what happens,” Trump said. This statement dismissed hopes that he might limit the tariffs to a few nations with significant trade imbalances.

Previously, officials expected the tariffs to focus on the 15 countries with the largest trade gaps, a group Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the “Dirty 15.” However, Trump made it clear that the new tariffs would include all trading partners.

Even with this broad approach, Trump insisted the US would be “more generous” than other countries that have imposed tariffs on American goods. “They ripped us off like no country has ever been ripped off in history,” he said. “But we’re going to be much nicer than they were to us. Still, it’s a lot of money for the country.”

The US has already placed tariffs on steel, aluminum, and some Chinese imports. Tariffs on auto imports are set to begin on April 3. Trump’s trade advisor, Peter Navarro, estimated that the tax on auto imports could generate $100 billion per year, while other tariffs could bring in about $600 billion annually, totaling $6 trillion over a decade.

However, many economists warn that these tariffs could trigger a global trade war, as other countries have already promised to retaliate. Some experts also believe that such widespread tariffs could lead to higher prices and hurt the economy.

Despite these concerns, Trump argues that the tariffs will boost government revenue and help revive American industries. Whether this strategy will work or lead to economic trouble remains to be seen.

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