#TrumpTariffs
These began with the "Liberation Day" tariffs announced on April 2, 2025. A 10 % baseline tariff on most imports took effect April 5, while higher “reciprocal” tariffs targeted countries with which the U.S. runs large trade deficits starting April 9 . Steel and aluminum tariffs were raised to 50 %, and a 25 % tariff was imposed on cars. Average tariff rates for U.S. imports surged to around 27 % by mid-April—the highest in over a century—though certain legal rollbacks brought that down to ~15.8 % by mid‑June .
Trump administration officials have delayed the actual enforcement of higher tariffs to August 1, 2025, giving countries more time to negotiate or face letters warning of increases .
On July 7, letters began being sent to about 12–15 targeted countries, with tariffs set to take effect August 1 unless deals are struck .
Trump also announced an extra 10 % tariff on any country seen as aligned with “anti‑American” BRICS policies .