Trump’s reciprocal tariffs take effect, targeting dozens of countries

US President Donald Trump’s long-threatened reciprocal tariffs officially took effect at midnight on August 7, imposing sweeping levies on goods from nearly 70 countries. The move marks a significant escalation in Trump’s aggressive trade agenda and is expected to lead to price hikes on a wide range of consumer products. 

“Recdiprocal tariffs take effect at midnight tonight! Billions of dollars, largely from countries that have taken advantage of the united states for manyt years, laughing all the way, will start flowing into the USA," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, Caliber.Az reports.

He then added that the only thing that could stop "AMERICA’S GREATNESS WOULD BE A RADICAL LEFT COURT THAT WANTS TO SEE OUR COUNTRY FAIL!”

The tariffs, ranging between 10% and 41%, were applied to countries including Canada, Brazil, India, Laos, Myanmar, Syria, and others. Canada faces a 35% tariff, while Brazil – a key exporter of coffee – faces a 50% rate when combined with a 10% baseline tariff. Laos and Myanmar are each hit with 40%, and Syria tops the list at 41%, ABC writes. 

India is subject to a 25% tariff under the new order, which Trump announced will increase to 50% on August 27 as a penalty for its continued purchases of Russian oil amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The White House said the rates were determined primarily based on the US trade deficit with each partner. Goods shipped by vessel before August 7 and arriving in the US by October 5 will be exempt from the new rates.

The move follows months of delays and modifications. Trump initially announced the reciprocal tariffs in an April 2 executive order dubbed “Liberation Day,” targeting more than 90 countries. However, implementation was repeatedly postponed as the administration attempted to negotiate bilateral trade deals. In the days leading up to the final deadline, Trump sent formal letters to leaders of about two dozen nations outlining potential tariff levels and urging swift agreement.

New countries, including Bolivia, Ecuador, Ghana, and Iceland, have also been added to the tariff list under the updated plan.

According to the Yale Budget Lab, the tariffs could cost the average US household an additional $2,400 this year as importers pass along increased costs to consumers.

A senior Trump administration official defended the policy shift last week, calling it part of a “new system of trade” that prioritises “fair and balanced trade” over pure efficiency.

By Sabina Mammadli