Trump Announces New Tariffs for Over 150 Countries

President Donald Trump announced that his administration will send a letter to about 150 countries, informing them of a uniform tariff rate to be applied across the board. Although he did not specify the exact rate, these countries have already faced a 10% base tariff since April.

In recent weeks, Trump has also imposed differentiated tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% on more than two dozen countries. These include Vietnam at 20%, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia at 25%, Mexico at 30%, Canada at 35%, the Philippines and Cambodia at 36%, and Laos and Myanmar at 40%. Most of these tariffs will take effect on Aug. 1 and apply to a wide range of products, with exceptions for Mexico and Canada.

Trump justified the tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, first invoking it in February to address drug trafficking and illegal immigration. In April, he declared a second emergency based on trade imbalances, lack of reciprocity, and foreign policies that, in his view, suppress wages and domestic consumption in the United States.

Several legal challenges have emerged. Two federal courts ruled that Trump exceeded his authority under the emergency powers law. These cases, including VOS Selections versus the United States and Learning Resources versus Donald Trump, are now under appeal, and final rulings are pending.