The Reciprocal Tariff Act
Mandate that U.S. tariff rates on any country's goods match that country's tariff rates on American goods — dollar for dollar, percent for percent.
The Problem
For decades, American exporters have faced tariff walls of 20–40% in foreign markets while those same countries shipped goods into the United States at near-zero rates. This asymmetry has cost millions of American manufacturing jobs and hollowed out entire industries.
Our Proposal
The Reciprocal Tariff Act would direct the U.S. Trade Representative to calculate the average tariff rate each trading partner charges on American goods and automatically set U.S. tariffs on that country's goods at an equal rate. Countries that lower their tariffs on American goods would see immediate, proportional reductions in U.S. tariffs on their exports. Countries that raise barriers would face equivalent responses.
Key Benefits
- Levels the playing field for American manufacturers and farmers
- Creates a powerful incentive for trading partners to open their markets
- Reduces the trade deficit by making American exports more competitive abroad
- Restores leverage to U.S. trade negotiators