Post by : Meena Ariff

US President Donald Trump has announced a fresh round of trade tariffs targeting eight countries, intensifying global trade tensions ahead of an August 1 deadline. The decision was revealed through a series of letters shared on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social.

The countries affected include Brazil, Sri Lanka, Algeria, Brunei, Iraq, Libya, Moldova, and the Philippines. Each nation has been assigned a different tariff rate, with Brazil facing the steepest penalty at 50 percent. Sri Lanka, Algeria, and Iraq have been hit with 30 percent import duties, while Brunei, Libya, and Moldova will face 25 percent tariffs. The Philippines received a comparatively lower rate of 20 percent.

In his letter to Brazil, Trump accused the country of committing “serious injustices,” pointing to alleged censorship practices and what he described as threats to free elections. He also reiterated his support for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who has previously contested election outcomes, drawing parallels with Trump’s own political stance.

These tariff announcements come after the expiration of a 90-day negotiation window that initially imposed a baseline tariff of 10 percent. While Trump has allowed additional time for talks before the August deadline, he has clearly stated that countries receiving these letters should not expect any extensions.

Trade data from the US Census Bureau shows that America runs relatively small trade imbalances with most of the affected nations. For instance, the US trade gap stands at $2.6 billion with Sri Lanka and $4.9 billion with the Philippines, amounts considered minor within the context of the $30 trillion US economy. Notably, the US actually maintains a trade surplus of $7.4 billion with Brazil, making the high tariff on Brazilian goods particularly striking.

This latest move follows recent threats of 25 percent tariffs on Japan and South Korea, increasing pressure on long-standing US allies to finalize trade agreements. So far, the Trump administration has secured only two trade deals, with the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, signs of economic strain are emerging at home. US GDP contracted by 0.5 percent in the first quarter of the year, and job growth has slowed in tariff-sensitive sectors such as construction and trade. Despite these concerns, US stock markets have remained largely stable following the announcement.

Trump’s renewed tariff push underscores his aggressive trade strategy, one that continues to ripple through global markets while affecting diplomatic and economic relationships worldwide.

#Business News