Trump Tariffs Target Dozens of Nations

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WASHINGTON, D.C. A new wave of U.S. tariffs took effect Thursday as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive restructuring of global trade. The revised duties affect dozens of countries, with increases ranging from 15% to 41%, marking a sharp escalation in efforts to defend American industry and reduce foreign economic leverage.

The new tariffs, signed into law through an executive order last week, raise previous 10% import duties across various categories. The move reaffirms Trump’s position on trade: that U.S. economic interests should not be undermined by foreign competitors or outdated agreements.

Imports from major economies such as the European Union, South Korea, and Japan will now face a standard 15% tariff. These nations had previously held talks with Washington in hopes of avoiding further restrictions, but were ultimately included in the sweeping update.

India will see its import tariffs rise to 25%, with a further increase planned in the coming weeks. Countries such as Syria, Myanmar, and Laos face the most dramatic hike, up to 41%, due to what U.S. officials described as persistent trade imbalances and inadequate market access.

Shortly after midnight, Trump celebrated the tariff implementation on Truth Social, writing:
“IT’S MIDNIGHT!!! BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TARIFFS ARE NOW FLOWING INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!”

The former president has repeatedly characterised his trade measures as “reciprocal,” intended to level the playing field after decades of what he views as one-sided trade deals that undercut American producers. Unlike previous administrations that backed multinational trade pacts, Trump has consistently favoured a more assertive, nation-first trade policy.

Key sectors already protected under earlier trade actions, such as automotive parts, steel, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, remain unaffected by this update. However, Trump announced plans Wednesday for a 100% tariff on semiconductors, with an exception granted to Taiwan’s TSMC due to its manufacturing presence in the United States.

While corporate giants may weather the impact more easily, trade groups and small business owners have raised alarms. The National Federation of Independent Business warned that sudden cost increases could damage supply chains and push up prices.

In a recent interview with CNBC, economist Mark Zandi commented:
“It’s still unclear how broad the consumer impact will be, but these measures add pressure to an already complex global trade environment.”

Some economic analysts argue that the inflationary effects may be short-lived, but uncertainty remains over how the tariffs could influence long-term growth and investment.

Despite criticism from global partners and economists, the Trump-aligned camp remains steadfast. Supporters argue these moves are necessary to restore industrial strength and prevent American dependence on foreign markets.

As U.S. consumers and businesses adjust to the changes, the message from Trump’s team is clear: international trade must serve American workers and not the other way around.