In a day of momentous shifts in economic and health policy, President Donald Trump announced plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries with high levies on American goods, just as his controversial pick for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was sworn into office. The moves signaled a doubling down on Trump’s “America First” agenda, even as they raised concerns over escalating trade tensions and the elevation of a figure known for pushing debunked theories about vaccine safety.
Trump Unveils Reciprocal Tariff Plan
Flanked by his top economic advisers, Trump declared he had signed an order directing his team to draw up plans for reciprocal tariffs targeting countries that charge high duties on US exports. “They charge us, we charge them – it’s very simple,” Trump said. “Whatever countries charge America, we will charge them, no more, no less.”
Under the plan, Trump’s trade officials will calculate new tariff rates for each country, aiming to match their levies on American goods. The focus will be on countries with which the US has large trade deficits and that impose much higher tariff rates than the US does currently.
While Trump argued the plan would usher in a new era of “fairness and prosperity” in global trade, he acknowledged consumer prices could rise in the short term as a result. “I think jobs will go up, and prices could go up somewhat, but prices will also go down,” he said. Farmer groups cheered the move, contending US agriculture has long suffered from unfairly high foreign tariffs.
"When countries charge us high tariffs, we'll charge them the same. It's called reciprocal. No country should be able to take advantage of America any longer. Our farmers and manufacturers deserve a level playing field!" @realDonaldTrump on the new tariff order pic.twitter.com/jn8limEx9Q
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 13, 2025
But free trade advocates warned the tariffs could boomerang on US consumers and companies. “This will only invite more tit-for-tat retaliation from our trading partners and drive up prices for American families,” said Dan Thurmond, president of the National Foreign Trade Council. “We’ve been down this road before – nobody wins in a trade war.”
Next Steps on Tariffs
Trump’s economic team said they aim to finalize the new tariff rates by April 1st after evaluating levies on a country-by-country basis. Commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick said priority would be given to the most “egregious” examples of countries with large trade surpluses and high tariffs compared to the US.
- The new tariffs won’t take effect immediately – Trump’s advisers must first calculate rates for each country
- The focus will be on the biggest trade surplus countries with much higher levies than current US rates
- April 1st is the target date to finalize the new reciprocal tariff structure according to Trump’s trade team
An administration official said Trump “is more than happy” to lower US tariffs if other nations agree to reduce theirs. But officials stressed they will look beyond just tariffs to other trade barriers like the European Union’s value-added tax.
RFK Jr. Sworn In Amid Controversy
As the tariff drama unfolded, Trump oversaw the swearing-in of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his new health and human services secretary. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and son of the late senator Robert F. Kennedy, has drawn fire for his vocal criticism of vaccines and his promotion of the debunked theory that they cause autism.
All but one Senate Republican voted to confirm Kennedy, with many saying the president deserves his chosen team. But critics slammed the move as dangerous, fearing Kennedy will undermine vaccine confidence. “I’m a polio survivor. I’ve seen 1st hand how vaccines save lives,” said Sen. Mitch McConnell, the lone GOP vote against Kennedy. “We cannot have someone sowing distrust in proven science.”
“Putting Kennedy in charge of our public health is a huge mistake. When diseases resurge because people can’t access vaccines, we will all suffer the consequences of this anti-science crusade.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Kennedy has vowed to uphold vaccine laws and says his critics misrepresent his views. But many in the medical community remain deeply concerned given his record of opposing vaccine mandates and floating conspiracy theories. “Even a whiff of vaccine hesitancy at the top could cost lives,” said Dr. Amy Landis of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “We’ll be watching very closely.”
The Road Ahead
As the dust settles from this whirlwind day in Washington, the stage appears set for turbulent times ahead on the trade and public health fronts. With Trump poised to launch a new tariff offensive and a polarizing figure now at the helm of US health policy, all eyes will be on how these moves play out for the economy and national wellbeing.
Will reciprocal tariffs rebalance trade or backfire into a devastating trade war? Can RFK Jr. be an effective steward of public health despite his controversial baggage? The answers promise to have profound consequences for the Trump presidency and the country as a whole in the coming months and years. One thing is clear: boring will not be on the agenda.
