The White House announces new tariffs on a group of countries
The White House announced on Friday the imposition of new tariffs on a group of countries, including six Arab nations, as part of a new trade policy based on reciprocity.
This move came after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order increasing the tariffs effective August 1.
According to the statement, customs duties will be imposed as follows:
Israel: 15%
Türkiye: 15%
Venezuela: 15%
Cameroon: 15%
Jordan: 15%
Pakistan: 19%
Bangladesh: 20%
Tunisia: 25%
South Africa: 30%
Libya 30%
Algeria: 30%
Iraq: 35%
Switzerland: 39%
Syria: 41%
The White House also announced raising tariffs on Canadian imports from 25% to 35%, a controversial decision that will take effect in early August.
Many Asian countries that rely heavily on the US market expressed relief that their exports would be subject to additional tariffs lower than those Trump had intended to impose, such as Cambodia and Thailand, which reduced tariffs on their goods from 36% to 19%.
Taiwan expressed hope of concluding an agreement that would reduce the 20% tariff imposed on its exports.
Trump also, issued a new set of executive orders, including a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil, along with new taxes on semi-finished copper products.
Customs exemptions for low-value packages imported from abroad were also eliminated.
These decisions come as part of an escalating American push to reshape international trade relations and impose “fair” standards for trade exchange, according to the White House.
Trump confirms that the decision is final, as he posted on his Truth Social platform an affirmation that he had no intention of extending the deadline granted to countries, saying, “The August 1 deadline is final… There will be no further extension… A great day for America!”
Trump’s statements indicated his seriousness in implementing the new tariff policy.
