- President Donald Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs on more than 180 countries.
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said he thinks it's a fitting response to how the US has been treated.
- Lutnick criticized the European Union's tariffs on American poultry, seafood, and beef.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump's new reciprocal tariffs are just a response to how the US has been treated on trade.
"The European Union won't take chicken from America. They won't take lobsters from America. They hate our beef because our beef is beautiful and theirs is weak," Lutnick said on Fox News' "Hannity."
Lutnick added that he thought it was "unbelievable" that other countries weren't buying more goods from America. He also accused other nations of ripping the US off.
"Finally, finally, the man behind the Resolute Desk, the man in the Oval Office, Donald Trump, is finally standing up for our farmers, our ranchers, and our manufacturers," Lutnick said. "To let the world understand — either they buy our products, or don't bother coming here unless you are paying for the right to come."
On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order imposing reciprocal tariffs on countries that have placed tariffs on US goods.
"Reciprocal. That means they do it to us, and we do it to them. Very simple. Can't get any simpler than that," Trump said in his remarks.
Trump said he would charge countries "approximately half" of what those countries have been charging. The tariffs will start at a baseline rate of 10% and affect 185 countries, Trump said.
The European Union was hit with a 20% tariff, while India received a 26% tariff. China received an additional 34% tariff. This is on top of the 20% tariff that Trump had already imposed on China last month, bringing the total to 54%.
Lutnick had called for the use of reciprocal tariffs during his confirmation hearings as commerce secretary in January.
"We are treated horribly by the global trading environment. They all have higher tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers, and subsidies," Lutnick said at his Senate confirmation hearing.
"They treat us poorly. We need to be treated better. We need to be treated with respect, and we can use tariffs to create reciprocity, fairness, and respect," Lutnick continued.
Representatives for Lutnick at the Commerce Department did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
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