* Announcement of comprehensive tariffs: On April 2, 2025, the U.S. administration announced a "base" tariff of 10% on imported goods from most countries, with significantly higher tariffs on some.
* 90-day suspension: By April 9, 2025, a 90-day suspension of additional tariffs (beyond the 10% base) was announced for most countries. This suspension aims to encourage negotiations and prevent retaliatory actions.
* Exemption for China: It is worth noting that China was exempted from this 90-day suspension. In fact, tariffs on imports from China were increased even further.
* Reciprocal tariffs: The U.S. administration's policy includes "reciprocal tariffs" targeting countries with trade surpluses with the United States. These tariffs are designed to balance trade barriers.
Key points about the suspension:
* Negotiation tool: The suspension is seen as a preliminary step in negotiations with various trading partners.
* Reduced reciprocal tariffs: During the 90-day suspension for most countries, a reduced reciprocal tariff of only 10% applies.
* Market reaction: The announcement of the tariff suspension led to a rise in U.S. stock markets.
* Bond market impact: Reportedly, concerns within the Treasury Department about the bond market's reaction to the tariffs played a role in the decision to suspend.