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What You Need to Know About the Tariffs – Intercessors for America

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President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs have rocked the world. Foreign nations and U.S. citizens alike have scrambled in the week following the President’s announcement. Fear seems to be at an all-time high, and many have taken to social media to express dismay and caution.

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What’s really going on? Here’s the most recent news about these new tariffs.

The Breaking News

President Trump has announced a 90 day pause and a lowered reciprocal tariff for the nations initially targeted on Liberation Day. According to his post of Truth Social, this pause comes as a result of the “more than 75 Countries” having “called Representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR, to negotiate a solution to the subjects being discussed relative to Trade, Trade Barriers, Tariffs, Currency Manipulation, and Non Monetary Tariffs….” The President also highlighted that these countries “have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States….”

The exception to this pause is China, which, as a result of its trade war against the United States (see below), faces an increased tariff of 125%. We will keep you updated on how China responds.

You can see the President’s post below:

What the White House Is Saying

On Monday, April 7, at around 11:00 AM, the President shared the following post on X:

“The United States has a chance to do something that should have been done DECADES AGO,” President Trump wrote. “Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!). Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!”

This post, while amusing, also reveals the White House’s consistent messaging throughout the chaos. Immediately following Liberation Day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday, “To anyone on Wall Street this morning, I would say trust in President Trump. This is a president who is doubling down on his proven economic formula from his first term.” Likewise, Vice President JD Vance took a sympathetic but confident tone, telling Fox & Friends, “President Trump is taking this economy in a different direction. He ran on that. He promised it. And now he’s delivering. And yes, this is a big change. I’m not going to shy away from it, but we needed a big change.”

Most recently, the White House and the Trump administration have been doubling down on China, slamming the communist nation as it wages a trade war against America.

What China Is Saying

Out of every nation targeted by these new tariffs, China has had the most negative reaction by far. Even before Liberation Day, China had already vowed to fight the President’s tariffs “till the end.” Then, following Liberation Day, China responded to the 34% tariff on Chinese goods with a 34% tariff of its own. Following this, President Trump threatened to impose a retaliatory 50% tariff, amounting to a total 104% tariff on the nation, including tariffs imposed prior to April 2.

On April 9, China imposed an 84% tariff on American goods, leading President Trump to respond by, as mentioned above, imposing a 125% tariff. We will continue to update you as this trade war develops.

While many other countries have begun to work with President Trump, China has decided to fight bitterly.

What Other Nations Are Saying

Many of the nations targeted by the Liberation Day tariffs have already come to the negotiating table. Israel was the first nation to do so, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with President Trump on Monday, vowing to eliminate his nation’s trade deficit with America.

Many other countries have already reached out. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also spoke with President Trump on Monday, promising to send a negotiating team to the U.S. The European Union, meanwhile, has expressed interest in negotiating, with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen floating the idea of “zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods” in a press conference. The EU approved retaliatory tariffs yesterday, but it remained open to dropping those tariffs “should the US agree to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome.”

While some nation seem to be eager to negotiate, these negotiation have done little to ease the fear and panic gripping much of the nation.

What People Are Saying

Despite the Trump administration’s reassurances, many fear what these tariffs may do and are currently doing to the economy. The market fell sharply following Liberation Day before surging slightly on Monday and on Wednesday following the President’s announcement of a 90-day pause. While the initial plunge seems to be over and the pause may improve morale, there’s no telling what may happen in the coming days and weeks as more nations and companies respond.

The fluctuation in the stock market has caused many to lose substantial chunks of their savings. Trump critics were quick to offer scathing rebukes, with both #TrumpRecession and #ImpeachTrumpNOW trending on X on Wednesday. Even some of the President’s own supporters have begged him to reconsider some of the more extreme tariffs.

President Trump has remained confident throughout the turbulence, but only time will tell if his latest bold move will pay off.

As the future remains uncertain, its important that we remember to pray. Pray for our nation and for those who are fearful. And if you are fearful, remember that our God is still Lord, even in the middle of the storm.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea (Psalm 46:1-2).

How are you praying for our nation and about the tariffs? Share your prayers and scriptures with us in the comments.

(Nathan Tabler is IFA’s Communications Coordinator. Photo Credit: Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

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