Trump reciprocal tariffs seen targeting Japan and EU among 'dirty 15'

U.S. to focus on trading partners with high barriers to avoid administrative overload

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U.S. President Donald Trump plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on April 2, though the scope remains unclear. © Reuters

RYOHEI YASOSHIMA

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's much-touted plan for reciprocal tariffs is likely to focus on a limited number of economies with nontariff barriers and large trade surpluses with the U.S., with Japan, the European Union, Canada and Mexico expected to be in the crosshairs.

Trump had previously said that the levies to be announced April 2 would apply to all U.S. trading partners. But the president told reporters Monday that he "may give a lot of countries breaks." Markets with which the U.S. has trade surpluses and does relatively little trade, such as African nations, could be spared.

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