US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a memorandum instructing his administration to devise a plan to raise US tariffs to align with the tax rates that other countries charge on imports, a move seen as increasing global economic tension and uncertainty.

"I have decided for purposes of fairness, that I will charge a reciprocal tariff — meaning whatever countries charge the United States of America, we will charge them no more, no less. In other words, they charge us a tax or tariff and we charge them the exact same tax or tariff," Trump said at the White House.

Howard Lutnick, Trump's nominee for commerce secretary, said that the administration would tackle each affected country individually and that studies on the matter would be finished by April 1, Reuters reported.

Experts believe this move could hurt the US economy and risk trade conflicts, prompting other countries to retaliate in response to US tariff hikes, thereby increasing global economic uncertainty.

Gary Clyde Hufbauer, a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told Xinhua News Agency that in World Trade Organization negotiations, "reciprocity" means an overall balance of concessions between each country and all its trading partners, but Trump has redefined "reciprocity" to apply on a line item basis, country by country, rather than maintaining an overall balance.

"With reciprocity, as defined by Trump, US tariffs would probably on average be 10 to 15 percentage points higher. In my opinion, tariffs actually hurt the US economy, so while they would raise revenue … they would reduce GDP growth," Hufbauer said.

The spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously stated that China has repeatedly expressed its position and always believes that there is no winner in trade wars and tariff wars. China has always been steadfast in safeguarding national interests. A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce previously stated that China's position on tariff issues has been consistent. Tariff measures are detrimental to both China and the United States, as well as to the entire world.Mexican President Simbaum publicly stated, 'When we negotiate with other countries, when we interact with other countries, we always hold our heads high and never bow our heads. We are equal.'. Simbaum emphasized that Mexico is a free, independent, and autonomous country. The Mexican side has the ability to respond to any situation.

Mexican President Simbaum publicly stated, 'When we negotiate with other countries, when we interact with other countries, we always hold our heads high and never bow our heads. We are equal.'. Simbaum emphasized that Mexico is a free, independent, and autonomous country. The Mexican side has the ability to respond to any situation.

After the United States announced taxes on Canada, British Columbia Governor David Ibby held a press conference and said that Trump's tariffs "completely betray the historical bond between the two countries, and this is an economic war declaration against a trusted ally and friend.