More than 60 countries are scrambling to respond to the latest wave of US tariffs announced by Donald Trump, which came into force on Thursday. The tariffs, ranging from 10% to 41%, have upended the decades-old world trading system, with industry representatives warning of job losses and describing the measures as potentially devastating for exporters to the US.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called the duties “unacceptable blackmail”, while the government announced plans for state aid to affected companies. Switzerland, hit with a 39% tariff, is seeking new talks with the US after a last-gasp mission by its president failed to stop the blow. The Swiss cabinet said the tariffs would “place a substantial strain on Switzerland’s export-oriented economy”.
Taiwan, facing a 20% rate, continues talks with the US, with its president describing the measure as “temporary”. Ireland, bound by an EU-US deal capping tariffs at 15%, will publish a new plan to diversify its economy, which relies heavily on US multinationals. Lesotho, despite a last-minute reduction from 50% to 15%, is already hurting, with the textile sector reporting cancelled orders and job cuts.
Laos, hit with a 40% tariff, faces severe impacts on its garment industry. Johannes Somers, executive chair of garment manufacturer Diep Vu, said: “A 40% tariff is just a nail in the coffin for any industry trying to ship to the United States.” Xaybandith Rasphone, head of the Association of the Lao Garment Industry, estimated that 20,000 workers or more could be affected.
Some trading partners, including the UK, EU, and several Asian nations, had secured reductions through negotiations. The EU's baseline rate of 15% includes previous tariffs, but sectoral tariffs on cars of 27.5% remain, prompting criticism from the German car industry federation, whose president said the deal brought “no clarity or improvement”.
