The tariffs come as part of President Trump's "America first" agenda.
Sweeping new tariffs announced on Wednesday by US President Donald Trump has provoked dismay, threats of countermeasures and calls for further negotiations to make trade rules fairer.
Trump said the import taxes, ranging from 10% to 49%, would do to US trading partners what they have long done to the US, describing them as "reciprocal."
For the UK, Trump said he is imposing tariffs of 10% on all British imports into the United States. He also said he will impose a tariff of 20% on the European Union, while China faces a tariff of 34%.
The president and supporters of his tariffs believe that, as well as the revenue these tariffs create, the higher import costs will encourage companies to make, buy and sell their products in the US.
But the shockwaves on global trade are already being felt across the world, with the European Union promising to retaliate, the UK aiming to secure a trade deal and markets in Asia falling dramatically.
The latest tariffs also follow recent announcements of 25% taxes on car imports, levies against China, Canada and Mexico, and expanded trade penalties on steel and aluminium.
Trump has also imposed tariffs on countries that import oil from Venezuela, something America also does, and he plans separate import taxes on pharmaceutical drugs, lumber, copper and computer chips.
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What has the UK said?
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told business chiefs in Downing Street that “clearly there will be an economic impact” from Donald Trump’s tariffs but the Government would respond with “cool and calm heads”, after Trump imposed 10% tariffs on British goods.
He said he would “fight” to secure a deal with the US in the hope of mitigating the impact of the tariffs.
“Nobody wins in a trade war, that is not in our national interest.
“We have a fair and balanced trade relationship with the US.
“Negotiations on an economic prosperity deal - one that strengthens our existing trading relationship - they continue and we will fight for the best deal for Britain.”
He said he would only strike a deal with Donald Trump’s White House “if it is in our national interest and if it is the right thing to do for the security of working people, protects the pound in their pocket that they have worked hard to earn”.
What deal is the UK considering?
UK negotiators are pursuing an economic agreement with the US focused on technology.
Such a deal could include possible changes to the digital services tax - which imposes a 2% levy on the revenues of several major US tech companies - in exchange for a carve-out from the tariffs.
Scrapping this tax would create an £800m blackhole in an already tight financial situation for the UK Treasury.
Starmer did not deny that changes to the digital services tax are being considered.
Easing access for US agricultural products to UK markets could also be on the table, although officials have insisted that food standards will not be lowered.
How has the rest of the world responded to the tariffs?
The announcement has triggered swift reactions from major economies, with many condemning the move as reckless and protectionist.
Some countries have vowed retaliation, while others are urging negotiation to avoid an all-out trade war.
European Union: The EU, facing 20% tariffs on all goods, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the move “a major blow to the world economy,” warning: “The global economy will massively suffer, and uncertainty will spiral. The consequences will be dire for millions around the world.” Brussels is now preparing countermeasures targeting key US exports, including agricultural products and high-value manufactured goods. Trump, in response, has threatened a 200% tariff on European alcohol if the EU follows through.
China: Facing a 34% tariff on its goods, China urged the US to cancel the measures and resolve disputes through dialogue. The Chinese Commerce Ministry issued a statement saying: “China urges the United States to immediately cancel its unilateral tariff measures and properly resolve differences with its trading partners through equal dialogue.” Analysts expect China to retaliate by imposing tariffs on US agricultural products or restricting exports of rare earth minerals critical to tech manufacturing.
Japan: Japan, a key US ally, has taken a cautious stance, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stating that the government is “closely analysing the impact” of the tariffs while preferring dialogue over retaliation.
Latin America: Several Latin American nations have strongly condemned the tariffs. Brazilian lawmakers have passed a bill allowing for immediate countermeasures, while Chilean President Gabriel Boric warned that Trump’s policies risk undermining international trade norms. Colombian President Gustavo Petro went further, declaring: “Today, the neoliberalism that proclaimed free-trade policies all over the world has died.”
Australia: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sharply criticised the tariffs, rejecting Trump’s justification that they are “reciprocal.” He stated: “A reciprocal tariff would be zero, not 10%.”
Here is the full list of reciprocal tariffs that Trump announced:
China: 34%
European Union: 20%
South Korea: 25%
India: 26%
Vietnam: 46%
Taiwan: 32%
Japan: 24%
Thailand: 36%
Switzerland: 31%
Indonesia: 32%
Malaysia: 24%
Cambodia: 49%
United Kingdom: 10%
South Africa: 30%
Brazil: 10%
Bangladesh: 37%
Singapore: 10%
Israel: 17%
Philippines: 17%
Chile: 10%
Australia: 10%
Pakistan: 29%
Turkey: 10%
Sri Lanka: 44%
Colombia: 10%
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