President Trump imposes new tariffs, escalating global trade tensions
President Donald Trump is reigniting global trade tensions with a sweeping new round of tariffs aimed at key U.S. trading partners.
(NBC)- President Donald Trump is reigniting global trade tensions with a sweeping new round of tariffs aimed at key U.S. trading partners — a move that’s already drawing sharp criticism at home and abroad.
In a series of letters sent to foreign governments, Trump announced new duties ranging from 20% on imports from the Philippines to as high as 50% on goods from Brazil. The president suggested political factors influenced the Brazil tariff, citing the ongoing prosecution of his ally, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
“Brazil, as an example, has been not good to us. Not good at all,” Trump said during remarks, doubling down on his claim that Bolsonaro’s trial — for allegedly trying to cling to power after Brazil’s 2022 election — is a “witch hunt that should end immediately.” Trump has drawn comparisons to his own legal battles following the 2020 U.S. election, which he lost but later reversed with a win in November.
The move sparked a sharp response from Brazil’s current leadership, which vowed to retaliate. “We will not accept being abused,” said the president of Brazil, warning of trade consequences if the U.S. tariffs are not reversed.
Adding to the confusion, Trump claimed the U.S. runs a trade deficit with Brazil — when in fact, U.S. Trade Representative data shows America posted a trade surplus with the country last year.
Pressed on how his administration determined the new tariff rates, Trump said, “The formula was a formula based on common sense, based on deficits, based on how we’ve been treated over the years.”
Critics in Washington are pushing back. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) slammed the president for failing to follow through on past trade promises. “He kicks the can down the road again and again. He talks a big game, but shows little follow-through or strategic understanding,” Schumer said.
The White House argues that issuing tariffs by letter streamlines negotiations and avoids drawn-out formalities.
In addition to the country-specific tariffs, Trump also announced a sweeping 50% tariff on all copper imports, effective August 1. The president says copper — the second most-used material by the U.S. Department of Defense — is vital to national security and economic independence. He vowed to rebuild a “dominant” American copper industry.
But until that happens, consumers could face higher prices on goods ranging from kitchen appliances to electric vehicles, which rely heavily on imported copper components.
