The Republican president has proposed creating a system tailored to each country that would seek to redefine trade relations with each of its partners.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on the world's largest economy's trading partners as early as April, with the aim of equalizing the taxes faced by American products in foreign markets.

These measures would aim to counter non-tariff trade barriers, such as overly regulatory legislation, VAT differentials, public subsidies or exchange rate policies that harm US exports.

"On trade, I have decided, for reasons of equality, that I will apply a RECIPROCAL tariff, meaning that whatever countries charge the United States of America, we will charge them, no more, no less!" Trump said in a post on his social network Truth Social.

The Republican president has proposed creating a system tailored to each country that would seek to redefine trade relations with each of its partners. He has also clarified that there is no room for "exceptions" since all actions taken will always be "reciprocal."

In the case of the European Union, Trump has criticised the VAT levels in the community bloc and the fines with which the European Commission sanctions American technology companies.

According to Bloomberg, Trump's nominee for Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, reportedly told reporters that the study of the measures to be taken should be ready by April 1, after which Trump will take the reins.

Trump has said from the Oval Office that he will implement import taxes on cars, semiconductors and pharmaceutical products "higher" than reciprocal tariffs at a future date yet to be specified.