US customs officials began enforcing a sweeping 10% tariff on Saturday, marking a significant shift in American trade policy following President Donald Trump’s recent executive action.
The baseline tariff, which came into effect at 12:01 AM ET on April 5, applies to imports from most countries, with much higher levies imposed on goods from 57 trading partners.
The latest trade measure, described by experts as the “single biggest trade action of our lifetime,” has caused widespread reactions within the global market. Customs agents at U.S. ports, airports, and bonded warehouses immediately began enforcing the new duties with no grace period for new shipments. The new tariffs will apply to a wide array of goods from countries such as Australia, Britain, Colombia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and more.
Impact on Global Trade
The immediate enforcement of the 10% tariff will hit many global trading partners, causing shifts in international trade dynamics. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed in a bulletin that goods already in transit before the deadline will be granted a 51-day grace period. Cargo arriving in the U.S. by 12:01 AM ET on May 27 will be exempt from the new duties, but any goods that arrive after this deadline will be subject to the tariff.
This tariff move is part of the Trump administration’s broader “reciprocal” trade strategy, where tariffs range from 11% to as high as 50% based on what the administration deems “unfair trade practices” or imbalanced trade relationships with specific countries.
Escalating Trade Disruptions
The policy’s impact will intensify next Wednesday, when additional tariffs are set to apply to goods from European Union imports, which will face a 20% tariff under the new structure. China’s goods, already hit with multiple rounds of tariffs dating back to Trump’s first term, will bear an additional 34% tariff. This brings the cumulative tariff on Chinese imports to a total of 54%.
Vietnam, which had seen some benefits from the shift in supply chains during the initial phase of the US-China trade war, now faces a steep 46% tariff on its exports to the U.S. Other Southeast Asian nations, including Laos and Cambodia, will face tariffs in the range of 46% to 49%, which could disrupt major supply chains in sectors like consumer goods, electronics, machinery, and textiles.
Exceptions and Further Developments
While Canada and Mexico are not part of Trump’s latest round of tariff hikes, both countries still face a separate 25% duty imposed earlier in the administration’s tenure, targeting goods that do not comply with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) rules of origin. This measure, which is aimed at combating the fentanyl crisis, continues to impact cross-border trade in North America.
A Global Shift in Trade Relationships
As trade tensions escalate, Kelly Ann Shaw, a former White House trade adviser and current trade attorney, predicted that countries would eventually be forced to negotiate new trade terms as a result of these sweeping tariffs. “This is a pretty seismic and significant shift in the way that we trade with every country on earth,” Shaw remarked, highlighting the global shift in trade dynamics.
The new tariff structure is expected to have widespread effects on global markets, as companies adjust to the changing trade environment. The uncertainty surrounding these tariff measures could drive businesses to rethink their supply chain strategies and consider alternative markets.
Conclusion: The Long-Term Impact of Tariffs
The imposition of these tariffs signals a dramatic shift in U.S. trade policy, with potential long-term impacts on both the U.S. economy and global trade relationships. While some countries will face significant tariff increases, others will likely seek to renegotiate terms with the U.S. to minimize the financial impact. As businesses adapt to the new reality of higher trade barriers, the full consequences of these measures will become clearer in the coming months.
This ongoing trade policy shift will continue to reverberate across markets, especially in industries that rely heavily on international supply chains. How businesses, governments, and consumers adjust to these changes will shape the global trade landscape in the years to come.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at Coindoo
Kosta has been a part of the team since 2021 and has solidified his position with a thirst for knowledge, incredible dedication to his work and a “detective-like” mindset. He not only covers a wide range of trending topics, he also creates reviews, PR articles and educational content. His work has also been referenced by other news outlets.
Source: https://coindoo.com/us-officially-begins-enforcing-10-tariffs-today-on-most-imports/