The president of the United States of America, Donald Trump, has boasted that foreign leaders are “kissing my a**” amid the rollout of sweeping new tariffs targeting roughly 90 countries.
The tariffs officially came into effect at 12:01 a.m. on April 9, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and are expected to significantly raise the cost of imported goods for American consumers.
China faces the steepest impact with cumulative tariffs hitting 104%, followed by Lesotho at 50% and Cambodia at 49%.
Trump, speaking at a National Republican Congressional Committee dinner, praised the tariffs as a cornerstone of his economic agenda, calling them “legendary.”
“Countries are calling us, begging to make deals. They’re literally kissing my a**,” Trump told attendees, asserting that his second term will be even more aggressive on trade: “This time, I’m doing it my way.”
Financial markets across Asia responded sharply: Japan’s Nikkei dropped 3.8%, Taiwan’s stocks tumbled 6%, and Indonesia’s rupiah hit a record low.
Fitch Ratings warned that while the tariffs might help reduce the U.S. deficit, they could hinder growth and counter the effects of planned tax cuts.
Despite mixed messages from the White House on whether the tariffs are permanent, Trump remains defiant.
“Other countries ripped us off for years. Now it’s our turn,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wall Street reacted negatively, with all major indexes hitting their lowest points since early 2024.
