The American President Donald Trump signed an order on Thursday to introduce new import duties against dozens of countries. These are increases of 10 to 41 percent.
Trump had previously indicated that he would introduce higher tariffs no later than August 1. The new tariffs are intended to take effect in a week. The US says it needs more time for its introduction.
The postponement also applies to the import levy of 15 percent for products from the European Union. The US and EU reached a trade agreement last week on a general import levy of 15 percent. This averted a trade war.
The new levies start at 10 percent. This applies to countries where the US exports more to than it imports from. Countries with the highest trade deficits, where the US exports less than it imports, will receive the highest levies.
For example, Syria receives import duties of 41 percent, Laos and Myanmar 40 percent, and Switzerland 39 percent. India faces tariffs of 25 percent, Taiwan 20 percent, and South Africa 30 percent.
Canada will also face an increase again
The import duties for Canada increase by 10 percent. Previously, the US levied 25 percent import tariffs. That will be 35 percent, the White House reports. This concerns products that fall outside the trade agreement between the US, Mexico, and Canada.
“In response to Canada’s continued inactivity and retaliatory measures, President Trump deems it necessary to increase tariffs for Canada from 25 percent to 35 percent,” the White House says.
The White House believes that Canada is not doing enough to combat the fentanyl crisis. Fentanyl is a very powerful and addictive painkiller, which costs the lives of tens of thousands of people in the US every year. Experts previously told NU.nl that “extremely small quantities” enter the US via Canada. “Last year, almost 9,600 kilos were intercepted at the Mexican border and about 19 kilos at the border with Canada.”