Trump orders introduction of reciprocal tariffs, beginning with probes

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive memorandum setting the stage for introducing reciprocal tariffs on imports, instructing probes into countries that have higher tariffs or non-tariff trade barriers against American goods entering their markets.

Washington will look into imposing reciprocal tariffs on countries that have the largest trade surpluses with the U.S. and other problematic partners, a White House official told reporters on Thursday. The probes, to be handled by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Commerce Department, will take several weeks to months. The tariffs are not expected to take effect right away.