WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: U.S. President Donald Trump departs the U.S. Capitol following a Friends of Ireland luncheon on March 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. Martin traveled to the United States for the Irish leader's annual St. Patrick's Day visit where he attended the luncheon and met with U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that his forthcoming reciprocal tariff plan will allow for some “flexibility,” though he seemed opposed to making exceptions for specific countries. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump explained that while he understood requests for tariff exceptions, offering them could set a precedent.
“People are coming to me and talking about tariffs, and a lot of people are asking me if they could have exceptions,” Trump said. However, he added, “Once you do that for one, you have to do that for all.”
Trump, who has long championed tariffs as a tool for protecting U.S. industries, clarified that his stance had not changed after granting a one-month exemption to major automakers in early March. “I don’t change. But the word flexibility is an important word,” Trump noted. “Sometimes it’s flexibility. So there’ll be flexibility, but basically it’s reciprocal.”
The president’s remarks come as the U.S. prepares for the implementation of his reciprocal tariff plan, which is set to begin on April 2. Trump has repeatedly referred to the start date as America’s “liberation day,” framing the tariffs as a way to level the playing field in global trade.
Under the reciprocal tariff plan, countries that impose tariffs on U.S. goods will face similar duties on their products entering the U.S. The policy will also target non-tariff barriers, such as value-added taxes, that the Trump administration deems unfair to American businesses.
In his comments, Trump also indicated that he plans to have discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This comes as China has retaliated with its own tariffs on U.S. agricultural products, following Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese imports.
Since retaking the White House, Trump has issued a series of tariff-related announcements, sparking concerns among investors about the potential for a major trade conflict. His aggressive tariff stance has created uncertainty in global markets, particularly in industries heavily dependent on international trade.
As Trump moves forward with his tariff plans, questions remain about the broader economic impact, including how the new duties might affect U.S. consumers, businesses, and foreign relations. With his administration continuing to prioritize trade policy reform, the full scope of the reciprocal tariff plan’s effects may only become clear in the coming months.
