Dozens of economies, including India, Canada and Mexico, face threats of higher tariffs Friday if they fail to strike deals with Washington.
Here is a summary of duties President Donald Trump has introduced in his second term as he pressures allies and competitors alike to reshape US trade relationships.
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Global tariffs
US “reciprocal” tariffs — imposed under legally contentious emergency powers — are due to jump from 10 per cent to various steeper levels for a list of dozens of economies come August 1, including South Korea, India and Taiwan.
The hikes were to take effect July 9, but Trump postponed them days before imposition, marking a second delay since their shock unveiling in April.
A 10 per cent “baseline” levy on most partners, which Trump imposed in April, remains in place.
He has also issued letters dictating tariff rates above 10 per cent for individual countries, including Brazil, which has a trade deficit with the United States and was not on the initial list of higher “reciprocal” rates.
Several economies — the European Union, Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines — have struck initial tariff deals with Washington, while China managed to temporarily lower tit-for-tat duties.
Certain products like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber are excluded from Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, but may face separate action under different authorities.
This has been the case for steel, aluminium, and soon copper. Gold and silver, alongside energy commodities, are also exempted.
Excluded too are Mexico and Canada, hit with a different set of tariffs, and countries like Russia and North Korea as they already face sanctions.
Canada, Mexico
Canadian and Mexican products were hit by 25 per cent US tariffs shortly after Trump returned to office, with a lower rate for Canadian energy. Trump targeted both neighbours over illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking, also invoking emergency powers.
But trade negotiations have been bumpy. This month, Trump said Canadian goods will face a higher 35 per cent duty from August 1, and Mexican goods will see a 30 per cent level.
Products entering the United States under the USMCA North American free trade pact, covering large swaths of goods, are expected to remain exempt — with Canadian energy resources and potash, used as fertiliser, to still face lower rates.
China focus
Trump has also taken special aim at China. The world’s two biggest economies engaged in an escalating tariff war this year before their temporary pullback.
The countries imposed triple-digit duties on each other at one point, a level described as a trade embargo.
After high-level talks, Washington lowered its levies on Chinese goods to 30 per cent and Beijing slashed its own to 10 per cent.
This pause is set to expire on August 12, and officials will meet for further talks on Monday and Tuesday in the Swedish capital, Stockholm.
The US level is higher as it includes a 20 per cent tariff over China’s alleged role in the global fentanyl trade.
Beyond expansive tariffs on Chinese products, Trump ordered the closure of a duty-free exemption for low-value parcels from the country. This adds to the cost of importing items like clothing and small electronics.
Autos, metals
Trump has targeted individual business sectors too, under more conventional national security grounds, imposing a 25 per cent levy on steel and aluminium imports, which he later doubled to 50 per cent.
The president has unveiled plans for a 50 per cent tariff on copper imports starting August 1 as well and rolled out a 25 per cent tariff on imported autos, although those entering under the USMCA can qualify for a lower rate.
Trump’s auto tariffs impact vehicle parts too, but new rules ensure automakers paying vehicle tariffs will not also be charged for certain other duties.
He has ongoing investigations into imports of lumber, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals that could trigger further duties.
Legal challenges
Several legal challenges have been filed against the tariffs Trump invoked, citing emergencies.
The US Court of International Trade ruled in May that the president had overstepped his authority, but a federal appeals court has allowed the duties to remain while it considers the case.
If these tariffs are ultimately ruled illegal, companies could possibly seek reimbursements.
Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp
Here is a summary of duties President Donald Trump has introduced in his second term as he pressures allies and competitors alike to reshape US trade relationships.
Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp
Global tariffs
US “reciprocal” tariffs — imposed under legally contentious emergency powers — are due to jump from 10 per cent to various steeper levels for a list of dozens of economies come August 1, including South Korea, India and Taiwan.
The hikes were to take effect July 9, but
Trump postponed them days
before imposition, marking a second delay since their shock unveiling in April.
A 10 per cent “baseline” levy on most partners, which Trump imposed in April, remains in place.
He has also issued letters dictating tariff rates above 10 per cent for individual countries, including Brazil, which has a trade deficit with the United States and was not on the initial list of higher “reciprocal” rates.
Several economies — the European Union, Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines — have struck initial tariff deals with Washington, while China managed to temporarily lower tit-for-tat duties.
Certain products like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber are excluded from Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, but may face separate action under different authorities.
This has been the case for steel, aluminium, and soon copper. Gold and silver, alongside energy commodities, are also exempted.
Excluded too are Mexico and Canada, hit with a different set of tariffs, and countries like Russia and North Korea as they already face sanctions.
Canada, Mexico
Canadian and Mexican products were hit by 25 per cent US tariffs shortly after Trump returned to office, with a lower rate for Canadian energy. Trump targeted both neighbours over illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking, also invoking emergency powers.
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But trade negotiations have been bumpy. This month, Trump said Canadian goods will face a higher 35 per cent duty from August 1, and Mexican goods will see a 30 per cent level.
Products entering the United States under the USMCA North American free trade pact, covering large swaths of goods, are expected to remain exempt — with Canadian energy resources and potash, used as fertiliser, to still face lower rates.
China focus
Trump has also taken special aim at China. The world’s two biggest economies engaged in an escalating tariff war this year before their temporary pullback.
The countries imposed triple-digit duties on each other at one point, a level described as a trade embargo.
After high-level talks, Washington lowered its levies on Chinese goods to 30 per cent and Beijing slashed its own to 10 per cent.
This pause is set to expire on August 12, and officials will meet for further talks on Monday and Tuesday in the Swedish capital, Stockholm.
The US level is higher as it includes a 20 per cent tariff over China’s alleged role in the global fentanyl trade.
Beyond expansive tariffs on Chinese products,
Trump ordered the closure
of a duty-free exemption for low-value parcels from the country. This adds to the cost of importing items like clothing and small electronics.
Autos, metals
Trump has targeted individual business sectors too, under more conventional national security grounds, imposing a 25 per cent levy on steel and aluminium imports, which he later doubled to 50 per cent.
The president has unveiled plans for a 50 per cent tariff on copper imports starting August 1 as well and rolled out a 25 per cent tariff on imported autos, although those entering under the USMCA can qualify for a lower rate.
Trump’s auto tariffs impact vehicle parts too, but new rules ensure automakers paying vehicle tariffs will not also be charged for certain other duties.
He has ongoing investigations into imports of lumber, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals that could trigger further duties.
Legal challenges
Several legal challenges have been filed against the tariffs Trump invoked, citing emergencies.
The US Court of International Trade ruled in May that the president had overstepped his authority, but a federal appeals court has allowed the duties to remain while it considers the case.
If these tariffs are ultimately ruled illegal, companies could possibly seek reimbursements.
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on WhatsApp
By AFP