President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing reciprocal tariffs ranging from 10% to 41% on imports to the United States from 68 countries and the European Union. The new tariff system is set to go into effect on August 7, with a standard 10% duty for any countries not specifically named in the order.
The move marks a significant escalation in Trump’s trade policy and is expected to challenge long-standing global trade relationships.
A senior White House official said the delay in implementation is “to allow customs and border authorities sufficient time to implement the new system.”
Global Impact and Legal Pushback
While some trade deals are reportedly being negotiated, most countries face uncertainty. Trump announced a 90-day extension of trade talks with Mexico, but other trading partners are still in limbo.
Trump’s actions have also raised legal concerns, with appeals court judges questioning the legal foundation of what many are calling his broadest tariff policy to date.
Default Tariff Policy and EU Exceptions
- Default Tariff: Countries not listed will face a 10% tariff.
- European Union:
- Goods with existing duties above 15% → 0% new tariff
- Goods with duties below 15% → New tariff = 15% minus current duty
Full List: Countries and Tariff Rates
Here’s the simplified list of countries affected by the new U.S. tariffs, along with the rates imposed:
25% Tariff: India, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tunisia
20% Tariff: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam
19% Tariff: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand
18% Tariff: Nicaragua
15% Tariff: Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
30% Tariff: Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Libya, South Africa
35% Tariff: Iraq, Serbia
39% Tariff: Switzerland
40% Tariff: Laos, Myanmar
41% Tariff: Syria
10% Tariff: Brazil, Falkland Islands, United Kingdom
EU Tariff (Special Condition): 0% or Variable (based on current duty rate)
What’s Next?
With implementation set for August 7, businesses and international markets are preparing for disruptions, increased import costs, and potential retaliation from affected countries.
Trump’s administration maintains that these actions are designed to “level the playing field” for American industries and address long-standing trade imbalances.