Specific rates weren't known because they were spitballed last minute, apparently based upon a ChatGPT conversation. That there were going to be significant tariffs has been openly gloated about by this admin and mouthpieces like Howard Nutlick for months. Do you think every other country needed a specific number to start their response plans?

And really that is a silly theory regardless. The US would achieve maximum effectiveness by doing a normal tariff legislative process and then soberly discussing with all parties. Instead it's constant on/off brinksmanship. Because Donald Trump is a profoundly stupid imbecile with a simpleton, child-like understanding of the world. There is going to be customs and business chaos as this is factored in.

>As far as reciprocity goes, how is this plan not based at least in part on reciprocity?

It has zero bearing on reciprocity. Reciprocity is matching the other party's tariffs.

If you're richer than the other party, or if they sell things that you want but you don't sell things that they want, that isn't reciprocity. It's like if I tariff my children when they buy from McDonalds -- I mean, McDonalds doesn't buy from me! - and claim it's reciprocity. That would be insanely stupid, right?

It's a massive tax hike on Americans -- a regressive tax that will hit the working and middle classes the hardest -- shrouded under some patriotic America thing. No way anyone falls for this...right?