Trump prepares matching tariffs on trade partners, signalling economic showdown

US President Donald Trump is signalling more tariffs on foreign imports (AP)

US President Donald Trump is taking additional action to upset the world trade system, with plans to sign an order that would require US tariffs on imports to match the tax rates charged by other countries.

“It’s time to be reciprocal,” Mr Trump told reporters in Washington earlier this week. “You’ll be hearing that word a lot. Reciprocal. If they charge us, we charge them.”