Global concerns rise as US tariff changes take effect

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Thursday, August 7th, 2025

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Sources Xinhua
BEIJING, August 7 – The United States’ new tariff measures, affecting dozens of its trading partners, officially take effect today, sparking alarm among global leaders, analysts, and major economies over their potential impact on the world trade system.
The revised levies, ranging from 10% to 50%, reflect a shift in US trade policy aimed at maximizing unilateral gains. Under the new structure, countries running a trade surplus with the US will face a base tariff of 10%, while those with a trade deficit will see tariffs starting at 15%—with many facing significantly higher rates.
Notably, the US has imposed harsh tariffs on India, Canada, and Brazil, with rates now reaching 50%. An executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Wednesday adds an extra 25% tariff on Indian imports in response to New Delhi’s continued energy purchases from Russia. The order will take effect 21 days from its announcement.
India called the move “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” vowing to protect its national interests. “Our energy imports are driven by market needs and the responsibility to ensure energy security for 1.4 billion people,” said Indian foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal. He also stressed that India’s foreign policy decisions would not be dictated by external pressure.
Criticism has also come from within the US. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the tariffs “a trade war on the American people,” adding that businesses are left with “chaos, uncertainty, and inflation.”
Recent trade deals with Japan, South Korea, and the EU have further drawn criticism. These agreements allow the US to maintain 15% tariffs while securing massive investment pledges and energy purchases in return.
Observers warn that such one-sided arrangements, combined with weakening global institutions like the WTO, risk isolating the US from the global economy and damaging the international trade order.