The April 2, 2026 White House statement highlighted what the administration characterizes as dramatic improvements in American trade competitiveness, including a 32% reduction in the goods trade deficit with China over the past year and a 40% decrease with the European Union from April 2025 through January 2026. The administration says the U.S. has achieved a goods surplus with Switzerland for the first time since 2012.
According to the White House, President Trump's tariff strategy has "protected American workers, generated substantial new revenue, encouraged fairer trade deals, and accelerated the return of manufacturing to U.S. soil." The administration cites a Bank of England study indicating that foreign exporters have absorbed some tariff costs by lowering their export prices to the U.S. market while maintaining prices elsewhere.
The White House claims the Trump Administration has secured more than 20 new trade agreements covering over half of global GDP with major partners including the EU, Japan, India, Vietnam, and Argentina. These deals allegedly tear down non-tariff barriers and open new markets for U.S. agriculture, energy, and industrial goods, with some partners aligning with U.S. automotive standards.
The administration points to what it describes as a manufacturing resurgence, with trillions in private and foreign investments fueling industrial reshoring across companies from Apple to Toyota to Pfizer. Manufacturing activity indicators showed expansion for the first time in over two years as of January 2026, with the industrial production index reaching its highest level since 2019.
"One year ago today, President Trump threw away the illusions of 'free trade' to finally put Americans and America First," said White House spokesman Kush Desai. "The results since Liberation Day have been astonishing: over 20 new trade deals, trillions in manufacturing investments, lower drug prices, and lower goods trade deficits."
The White House reports that private sector workers have seen real wage gains of more than $1,400 in one year, with blue-collar workers benefiting most significantly. Manufacturing wages increased $1,800, construction wages rose $3,000, and mining and logging wages grew $1,900, according to the administration's figures.
The economic claims come as the administration continues to emphasize its "America First" trade approach, with the White House stating that "as more agreements take effect and investment continues to surge, one thing is clear: America's best days are still ahead." The data represents the administration's effort to demonstrate tangible results from its protectionist trade policies one year after their implementation.