Trump’s universal ten percent tariffs in force
The flat-rate tariffs of ten percent on goods from all countries announced by US President Donald Trump have come into force. An arrangement signed on Wednesday by the Republican now applies. Trump has recently announced a complex mechanism that provides even higher tariffs for countries with which the US government has a particularly large trade deficit. This will apply from April 9th.
Certain goods are excluded from the tariffs. This includes products for which other customs regulations already apply such as steel and aluminum products or cars and auto parts. In addition, some other products such as copper, medicines, semiconductors, wooden products or certain critical minerals are excluded. However, the White House had made it clear that Trump could soon also announce special tariffs for such goods.
First larger demos against Trump
Higher consumer prices and slower growth are expected
Trump had praised the day on which the tariffs were announced as a « day of liberation ». It is the most aggressive and serious step in the US president’s trade policy. The Republican promised that the tariffs will come back the « golden age » of the United States with the tariffs. According to his announcement, however, the shares went down. The head of the US Federal Reserve Fed, Jerome Powell, predicted higher inflation and slower growth for the USA.
A global trade conflict could plunge the global economy into a deep crisis. Some countries have announced that they are the second largest economy in the world after the United States. Germany is also heavily dependent on exports and benefits from open markets.
EU: « Stay in contact »
The EU Commission also prepared countermeasures. Trump had not ruled out to negotiate the tariffs with other countries. After an exchange with US trade minister Howard Lutnick and the trade officer Jamieson Greer on Friday, EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic announced: « We will stay in touch. »
With Trump-tars against the rest of the world
The head of the European Christian Democrats, Manfred Weber, said that the community cannot be pushed around. « The EU is ready for the deal, but at eye level, » Weber told the newspapers of the Funke media group. The EU’s share in the global economy was 22 percent, the US share of 25 percent.
Criticism also in the USA
In the United States, criticism of the customs package was also a conservative side. The Republican Senator Ted Cruz fears serious consequences for the Republicans. « If we get into a recession – especially in a heavy one – then in 2026 at all likelihood it would become a political bloodbath, » said the Senator from Texas in his podcast « Verdict ».
The Conservative US Denkfabrik American Enterprise Institute questioned the calculation of the tariffs. The formula is incorrect and made no sense economically, the institute said. As a result, the tariffs were set significantly. A correction would therefore reduce tariffs to a maximum of 14 percent, in the case of the European Union to 10 percent.
Trump’s customs orgy is also painful for Americans
« Perfect Sturm » for poor countries
Meanwhile, the United Nations conference of the United Nations for Trade and Development (Unctad) warned of serious consequences, especially for the economically the least developed countries and small island states among developing countries. They are now exposed to the « perfect storm », they would only stand together for two percent of the US trade deficit. Trump had announced tariffs of up to 50 percent, the high rates meet the island group Saint-Pierre and Miquelon as well as the African small state of Lesotho.
The United States had already imposed on certain products that continue to reach for certain products before Trump’s huge customs announcement. Customs in the amount of 25 percent should apply to all cars imported in the USA, and this penalty measure should take effect on Auto parts at the latest on May 3. The United States also raises tariffs of 25 percent on all steel and aluminum imports.
