WASHINGTON– U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a plan to implement a uniform tariff rate on more than 150 countries and regions, according to media reports.
“It’s all going to be the same for everyone, for that group,” Trump said during a meeting with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at the White House on Wednesday.
Trump described the targeted economies as “not big” and ones that “don’t do that much business” with the United States.
Back in April, the Trump administration introduced a baseline tariff of 10 percent on countries not covered under bilateral trade agreements. While Trump has previously hinted that the baseline could rise to 15 or even 20 percent, he did not disclose a new rate during Wednesday’s remarks, according to a report by Politico, cited by Xinhua News Agency.
The U.S. government has already issued notices to around two dozen economies—including the European Union, Japan, and South Korea—informing them of the tariff rates they will face beginning August 1. These announcements have triggered a new wave of negotiations, as affected countries seek to secure more favorable terms.
However, analysts and observers remain skeptical about whether the new tariff regime will go into effect on schedule. Concerns persist over its potential economic consequences and the possible impact on the domestic political landscape.
Countries such as Switzerland and India—both of which contributed over 3 percent to the U.S. trade deficit in 2024—have not yet received official notices but are reportedly still engaged in talks with Washington.
Trump gave mixed signals on the status of U.S.-India trade negotiations. At one point, he said, “We have another [deal] coming up,” but later added, “We’re very close to a deal.”
As for Japan, Trump confirmed that negotiations are ongoing, but expressed uncertainty about reaching a resolution. “I think we’ll probably live by the letter with Japan,” he said, referring to an already-issued tariff notification. (Source: IANS)
