After months of punishing tariff hikes, President Trump flips the script—announcing zero import duties on 45 key categories including gold, nickel, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals for trading partners who strike “reciprocal” deals with Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump has shaken global markets yet again, signing a sweeping executive order that offers tariff exemptions starting Monday (September 8, 2025) for nations willing to play by his rules.
After seven months of relentless tariff wars, which saw duties soar on metals, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, Trump is now dangling the carrot: zero import tariffs on more than 45 industrial categories—from nickel and gold to pharma compounds and specialty chemicals—for “aligned partners” ready to sign framework pacts cutting reciprocal duties.
“India killed the U.S. with tariffs, now offers ‘no tariffs,’” Trump boasted, signaling a dramatic turnaround in his combative trade stance.
The order, signed on Friday (September 6, 2025), explicitly ties tariff relief to the scale and economic value of a partner’s commitments. Deals already inked with Japan and the European Union will see tariff exemptions go live from 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT) Monday, instantly reshaping trade flows.
By invoking the Section 232 national security statute, Trump had justified his steep tariff walls. Now, in a strategic pivot, he positions tariff cuts as a reward mechanism—leveraging America’s market power to enforce loyalty and reciprocity.
Analysts warn the move could trigger global realignments in supply chains, especially for critical minerals and pharma chemicals, while allies scramble to lock in favorable terms before rivals.
