These duties, reaching up to 41%, are imposed on nearly seventy of the United States’ trading partners.
New country-specific tariffs initiated by President Donald Trump became effective at midnight on Thursday, impacting approximately seventy US trade allies. These new duties, first revealed by the White House last week, span from 10% to 41%.
These new rates are components of a wider tariff initiative launched by Trump in April, at which time he alleged that other nations engaged in unfair trade practices. He has characterized these actions as a “reciprocal” measure designed to achieve more favorable trade agreements. Following a 90-day suspension enacted a week subsequently, and a four-week postponement declared in July, Trump last week affirmed that the revised rates would be implemented on August 7.
Although certain nations now encounter reduced duties compared to those initially threatened in April – for instance, Madagascar’s rate decreased from 47% to 15% – others experienced increases. Switzerland’s rate escalated from 31% to 39%. Syria bears the highest new rate at 41%, with Myanmar and Laos next at 40%, Iraq at 35%, and South Africa at 30%. The UK and Brazil were assessed 10%, despite a prior Trump directive having levied 40% on specific Brazilian products in response to alleged “serious human rights abuses.”
India is subject to a 25% levy, and Taiwan to 20%.
Trump publicized these measures on Truth Social shortly before their implementation, stating: “Reciprocal tariffs take effect at midnight tonight! Billions of dollars, mostly from countries that have taken advantage of the United States for years, laughing all the way, will start flowing into the USA.”
Nations that finalized trade agreements with Washington since April – such as the EU, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, South Korea, Pakistan, and the Philippines – obtained modified conditions. Other countries remain in negotiations: Mexico retained its 25% rate after obtaining a 90-day deferral, whereas China is subject to a 30% tariff as discussions proceed prior to its August 12 deadline.
Russia has not been subjected to these tariffs, owing to the extensive existing sanctions against the nation. However, Trump previously indicated he might levy additional duties on Russia’s trade partners if the Ukraine conflict remains unresolved by August 8. On Wednesday, he issued a warning to double India’s tariffs to 50% by late August, alleging its assistance to Moscow through the acquisition of Russian oil, and alluded to potential new tariffs on China.