The Trump administration on Thursday rolled out a sweeping set of tariffs on imports from a wide range of countries, continuing his aggressive trade policy that’s likely to raise prices at home and stir tensions abroad.
Set to take effect from Friday, the tariffs range from 15% to as high as 50%, hitting key US trading partners like the European Union, Japan, India, Brazil, and Canada.
Japan was dealt a 15% levy; Brazil could see rates up to 50%.
India was hit with a 25% tariff and extra penalties tied to its ongoing purchases of Russian oil and military gear, something Trump called out directly on Truth Social.
The message: Washington isn’t backing down. But with inflation still lingering and allies caught in the crossfire, the fallout at home and abroad could be just getting started.
Trump tariffs: 5 things about to get pricier
1. Electronics
With new tariffs hitting imports from countries like India and Taiwan, expect to see higher price tags on phones, laptops, and TVs. These parts are too central to swap out quickly, so the cost will likely land on shoppers.
2. Appliances
Refrigerators, washing machines, and other big-ticket home appliances are also in the crosshairs. Higher steel and aluminum costs mean manufacturers are almost certain to raise prices.
3. Cars
Auto parts from Japan and elsewhere are now more expensive to bring in, which could raise production costs for US carmakers. It means new cars may get pricier, and dealer incentives might shrink.
4. Clothing
Imports from Vietnam and India are now carrying steeper duties, over 20% in some cases. That could mean more expensive jeans, shirts, and other basics by the end of the year.
5. Groceries
Food prices may creep up, not from direct agricultural tariffs, but from ripple effects in packaging, shipping, and specialty imports. Items like fruit, cheese, and processed snacks are likely to be affected.
Costly patriotism
Politically, the Trump administration is framing the tariffs as a way to protect American jobs and push companies to invest more in domestic manufacturing.
By making foreign goods more expensive, the idea is that US-made products become more competitive and, in the process, the government pockets billions in tariff revenues.
But many economists and industry leaders aren’t convinced.
They argue it’s not that simple as modern American factories rely on global supply chains, and finding local alternatives isn’t always realistic. So instead of helping, the tariffs may just drive up costs for US producers, too.
The fallout isn’t just economic, it’s diplomatic.
Trump secured some deals with the EU and Japan before the tariffs kicked in, but others like India have been hit hard, with markets reacting sharply and growth forecasts taking a hit.
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