On 2 April US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping set of tariffs arguing that they would allow the United States to economically flourish.
These new import taxes, which Trump imposed via executive order, have sent shockwaves through global markets as they kicked in this week.
But the US president believes they are necessary to address trading imbalances and to protect American jobs and manufacturing.
Here are the basic elements of the plan.
10% baseline tariff
A baseline tariff of 10% on almost all foreign imports to the US kicked in on 5 April. Some countries and goods are exempt, which we’ll explain later.
The companies which bring the foreign goods into America will have to pay this tax to the US government, although this could have knock-on effects to consumers.
Some countries will only face the base rate. These include:
- United Kingdom
- Singapore
- Brazil
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Turkey
- Colombia
- Argentina
- El Salvador
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
Custom tariffs for ‘worst offenders’
White House officials also said that they would impose what they describe as specific reciprocal tariffs on roughly 60 of the “worst offenders”.
These have come into effect on 9 April.
Trump’s officials say these countries charge higher tariffs on US goods, impose “non-tariff” barriers to US trade or have otherwise acted in ways they feel undermine American economic goals.
Here is a list of key trading partners subject to these customised tariff rates (these figures include the baseline tariff):
- European Union: 20%
- Vietnam: 46%
- Thailand: 36%
- Japan: 24%
- Cambodia: 49%
- South Africa: 30%
- Taiwan: 32%
Tit-for-tat tariffs with China
China once again faces large tariffs.
In addition to the 20% tariff levied in March, it now faces an extra 34%.
After Beijing responded by slapping its own 34% rate on American goods entering China, Trump imposed an additional 50% tariff.
This means that the total tariff on Chinese goods imported into the US is now 104%.
Separately, Trump has ordered that low-value goods entering the US from Hong Kong and mainland China will be subject to import duties from 1 May onwards.
The “de minimis” exemption has allowed foreign products costing $800 (£624) or less to enter the US duty-free – but that will no longer apply to Chinese imports.
No additional tariffs on Canada and Mexico
Canada and Mexico, which were targeted in Trump’s previous round of tariffs, face no additional levies. The 10% baseline rate does not apply to them.
The White House said it would deal with both countries using a framework set out in Trump’s previous executive orders, which imposed tariffs on both countries as part of the administration’s efforts to address the entry of fentanyl to the US and border issues.
Trump previously set those tariffs at 25% on all goods entering from both countries, before announcing some exemptions and delays.
Exemptions and tariffs on sectors
While the new round of tariffs applied globally covers most foreign goods entering the US, there are some exemptions.
According to the White House’s fact sheet, these include copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber, bullion, energy and “other certain materials that are not available in the United States”.
Articles subject to a US Code clause, widely interpreted as “informational materials”, communications and donations, are also exempted.
The tariff rates also do not apply to steel, aluminium, vehicles and vehicle parts – but that’s because they are subject to separate 25% tariffs on specific sectors.
- Explainer: What are tariffs, and why is Trump using them?
- Watch: Three things to know about Trump’s plans
- BBC Verify: How were Donald Trump’s tariffs calculated?
- Global reaction: How five big economies see new Trump tariffs
- UK: What this means for you and your money
- Analysis: Trump’s tariffs are his biggest gamble yet
