President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States will implement a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs and temporarily reduce the rate to 10% for countries that have not retaliated against the U.S. — a move that could offer short-term relief to Caribbean nations that were affected by the previously announced duties.
The announcement came via Truth Social, where President Trump posted a series of statements outlining the decision and its motivations.
“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately,” the president wrote. “At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable.”
He added that “more than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR, to negotiate a solution” on trade issues such as tariffs, trade barriers, and currency manipulation.
In a follow-up post, Trump confirmed the 90-day pause and reduced tariffs for countries that did not retaliate.
“[T]hese Countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States,” he stated. “I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately.”
The decision marks a temporary easing of trade pressure for nations that have opted not to escalate tensions with the U.S., amid a broader effort by the Trump administration to enforce what it calls “fair and reciprocal trade.”
No specific list of countries was named in the Truth Social posts, but the announcement follows Trump’s earlier tariff order on April 2, which imposed a 10% levy on imports from most Caribbean nations, including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The White House has not yet released a formal list or additional guidance.
