Cargo containers are stacked at the Jakarta International Container Terminal in Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, on August 7, 2025. YASUYOSHI CHIBA / AFP
President Donald Trump's steeper global tariffs came into effect on Thursday, August 7, leaving dozens of US partners scrambling to secure relief from soaring levies that are rewriting global trade practice. Shortly before the new rates kicked in, Washington also announced it would double India's tariffs to 50% and hit many semiconductor imports with a 100% duty.
Trump's trade policy is a demonstration of economic power that he hopes will revive domestic manufacturing, but many economists fear it could fuel inflation and lower growth. In his latest move, the president raised import duties from 10% to levels between 15% and 41% for various trading partners.
Many products from the European Union, Japan and South Korea now face a 15% tariff, even with deals struck with Washington to avert steeper threatened levies. But questions remain surrounding the implementation of these agreements. Others like India face a 25% duty – to be doubled in three weeks – while Syria, Myanmar and Laos face levels of 40 or 41%.
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