More tariffs, more tension — President Donald Trump has triggered a sweeping new round of import duties, hitting 69 countries and pressurising major economies. The move comes as he celebrated his excitement on Truth Social late Wednesday about the billions of dollars expected to flow into the U.S.
On Thursday, 7 August, higher tariffs officially took effect as U.S. Customs and Border Protection began collecting the increased duties.
The tariffs, which range from 10% to 50%, are part of Trump’s broader strategy to lower the U.S. trade deficit while seeking to avoid major supply chain disruptions, inflation spikes, and retaliatory measures from trade partners.
Goods already in transit before the midnight deadline can still enter the U.S. under previous, lower tariff rates if they arrive by 5 October, according to a recent CBP advisory.
This tariff plan follows weeks of intense negotiations and speculation. While many imports faced a 10% base duty since April, the rates have now been significantly increased—50% on goods from Brazil, 39% from Switzerland, 35% from Canada, and 25% from India.
Additionally, Trump announced a separate 25% tariff on Indian goods set to begin in 21 days, citing India’s continued purchases of Russian oil as the justification for this targeted tariff.
New tariffs
Meanwhile President Trump has said he will impose a tariff of about 100% on imports of semiconductors but offered up a big exemption - it will not apply to companies that are manufacturing in the U.S. or have committed to do so.
The move is part of Trump's efforts to bring manufacturing back to the United States, and his remarks on Wednesday were made in tandem with an announcement that Apple, would be investing an additional $100 billion in its home market.
The comments were, however, not a formal tariff announcement, and much remains unclear about how companies and countries around the world will be impacted.
Trump's mention of the proposed 100% rate for chips came in just ahead of U.S. levies of 10% to 50% kicking in on Thursday for many goods from dozens of trading partners. Rates on semiconductors and other key tech goods have been the subject of a U.S. national security probe - the results of which are expected to be announced by mid-August.
Trump's Wednesday remarks produced an immediate flurry of reactions from concerned countries and business lobbies.
South Korea's top trade envoy said on Thursday that major chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix will not be subject to 100% tariffs, and South Korea will have the most favourable levies on semiconductors under a trade deal between Washington and Seoul.
Samsung and SK Hynix declined to comment.
On the other end of the spectrum, the president of the Philippine semiconductor industry, Dan Lachica, said Trump's plan would be "devastating" for his country.
In Malaysia, which is a big player in chip testing and packaging globally, trade minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz warned parliament his country "will risk losing a major market in the United States if its products become less competitive as a result of the imposition of these tariffs."
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Türkiye's aid groups have continued delivering millions of meals, water, medical supplies, and shelters to Gaza despite access restrictions.
Germany has taken a major step to bolster its defence, with the cabinet approving a draft bill to reintroduce voluntary military service. The move reflects a broader shift in Europe as governments react to security threats from Russia’s war in Ukraine. But what exactly is changing, and why now?
Kyiv calls on allies to accelerate commitments while signalling openness to talks in neutral countries, even as fighting intensifies on the eastern front.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
Kuwait says oil prices will likely stay below $72 per barrel as OPEC monitors global supply trends and U.S. policy signals. The remarks come during market uncertainty fueled by new U.S. tariffs on India and possible sanctions on Russia.
Business leaders in France have expressed concern over the economic impact of the ongoing crisis in government triggering fears of a recession.
Police in Minneapolis have said that 2 children were killed in the shooting at Annunciation church today with 17 people injured, 14 of them children.
Germany has taken a major step to bolster its defence, with the cabinet approving a draft bill to reintroduce voluntary military service. The move reflects a broader shift in Europe as governments react to security threats from Russia’s war in Ukraine. But what exactly is changing, and why now?
Kyiv calls on allies to accelerate commitments while signalling openness to talks in neutral countries, even as fighting intensifies on the eastern front.
Denmark has publicly apologized to Greenland over the administration of birth control on its girls and women over decades as part of plans to fend off growing U.S. interest in the mineral-rich island.
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