Jamaica and Other Caribbean Countries Hit with Trump’s Tariff

US President Donald Trump recently levied tariffs on imports from all over the world into the North American nation, imposing a 10 percent penalty on Jamaican exports to the U.S.

Jamaica levies a 10 percent duty on commodities imported into the island from the United States, and the White House described the tariff on the island as “reciprocal.” Tariffs of 10 percent have also been imposed on Caribbean neighbors, including Grenada, St. Kitts-Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Trump imposed the harshest tariffs on China and the European Union on what he dubbed “Liberation Day,” while speaking in the White House Rose Garden with American flags flying in the background.

Trump stated, “For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike.” 

Trump saved his worst attacks for what he referred to as the “nations that treat us badly,” imposing 34% on products from China, a competitor powerhouse, 20% on the European Union, a crucial partner, and 24% on Japan. 

However, the 78-year-old Republican claimed to be “very kind” and was only taxing half of what those nations taxed US goods. He said this while displaying a chart with a list of taxes.

Trump stated that he will apply a “baseline” tariff of 10 percent to the others, including Britain. 

Cabinet officials and hard-hat workers from steel, oil, and gas sectors clapped and whooped as Trump claimed that the tariffs will “make America wealthy again.” Trump declared that it will “be remembered forever as the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed.” He also declared that today is Liberation Day. 

At 12:01 am (0401 GMT) on April 4, 2025, the 25 percent sweeping car tariffs that Trump proposed last week are also scheduled to go into force.