Thursday, April 3

United States President Donald Trump has executed his Liberation Day plans, which involve a massive round of tariffs that have been slapped onto every single country that exports goods to the US.

After placing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico earlier this year, Trump has now announced a sweeping round of additional tariffs on other countries. These levies, labeled "reciprocal tariffs," are Trump's way of punishing other countries for stealing money from the United States. He claims that the global trading system has been ripping America off for years, as other countries have found ways to charge the US various amounts of money.

Now, in response, all countries will face a baseline tariff of 10%, but other countries will face additional tariffs as the "worst offenders." Countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore will only face 10% tariffs, as they have imposed minimal tariffs and other moneymaking sources like currency manipulation.

Then, after some calculations by the White House, they found that many countries, considered the "worst offenders," have been charging America high amounts for years. In response to this, they will face additional tariffs-- countries facing higher tariffs include the European Union (20%), Japan (24%), India (26%), Thailand (36%), Vietnam (46%), and China (54%-- includes earlier tariffs).

However, Trump claims that these tariff numbers are only half of the cheating his team has found, and that he was extremely kind with the percentages.

Finally, the round of new orders also includes a 25% tariff on all vehicles made outside the United States as part of his attempt to bring manufacturing back into the country.

Unfortunately, many economists fear that this could spark a global trade war, as some countries are already planning tariffs and other methods of retaliation. Meanwhile, US markets took a plunge after Trump broke the news, with almost all stocks sinking after hours yesterday.

Fact of the Day (Today): The strongest bone in the body is the femur, or thighbone-- it can withstand up to 6,000 lbs of compressive force.

Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): I have realized that the past and future are real illusions, that they exist in the present, which is what there is and all there is. (Alan Watts)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Effusive (adj, ih-FYOO-siv) - Someone or something described as effusive is expressing or showing a lot of emotion or enthusiasm.

In a Sentence: Jay positively glowed as effusive compliments on the meal echoed around the table.