The Trump administration is working on a two-stage customs tariff regime as of April 2.

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a two-phase approach to a new customs tariff regime for trade partners. According to the Financial Times, the Trump administration plans to activate rarely used authorities to implement emergency tariffs before investigations into trade partners are completed. This strategy aims to strengthen U.S. trade policies while generating additional revenue for proposed tax cuts.

Officials close to the issue are discussing various proposals to establish a more robust legal framework for the president's tariffs based on "reciprocity." This includes initiating investigations under Section 301 while simultaneously applying emergency authorities to impose tariffs immediately. Trump's move is intended to increase pressure on trade partners, potentially leading to more favorable trade agreements for the U.S. The specific targets for these tariffs remain unclear, but they may focus on major trading partners like China and the European Union.