Trump to Impose Uniform Tariff Rate on Over 150 Economies
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July 17, 2025 Hour: 11:26 am
The U.S. government has already sent letters to about two dozen economies outlining the tariff rates they will face.
On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a plan to impose a unified tariff rate on more than 150 countries and regions.
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“It’s all going to be the same for everyone, for that group,” Trump told reporters during talks with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at the White House.
Those to be covered under the new measure are described by Trump as “not big,” and ones that “don’t do that much business.”
In April, the Trump administration introduced a baseline tariff of 10 percent on economies not covered by bilateral deals. Although Trump has previously suggested the new baseline could be raised to 15 percent or 20 percent, he did not specify a new rate on Wednesday.
The U.S. government has already sent letters to about two dozen economies — including the European Union, Japan and South Korea — outlining the tariff rates they will face starting Aug. 1. The announcement has prompted intensified negotiations as affected trading partners seek more favorable terms.
However, analysts and observers continue to express doubts about whether the new tariff schedule will take effect as planned on Aug. 1, amid concerns about its potential impact on the U.S. economy and domestic politics, according to the report.
Countries and regions such as Switzerland and India, which accounted for more than 3 percent of the U.S. trade deficit in 2024 but have not yet received official notices, remain in negotiation with Washington.
On Wednesday, Trump sent mixed messages on U.S.-India trade talks, first stating “we have another (deal) coming up,” then later asserting “we’re very close to a deal.”
Regarding Japan, Trump said negotiations are underway but expressed doubt about the outcome. “I think we’ll probably live by the letter with Japan,” he said, referring to a previously issued tariff notification.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: Xinhua
