Former US President Donald Trump is preparing to unleash a new wave of aggressive economic policies if he returns to the White House, with plans for sweeping tariffs that could ignite a full-scale global trade war.
According to exclusive reports, Trump and his advisers are drawing up proposals for a blanket 10% tariff on all imports into the United States. This move would represent a significant escalation of his previous trade policies and would directly target major economies, including the European Union, India, and China.
A Universal Levy on Imports
The proposed policy, described by insiders as a “universal baseline tariff”, would apply to virtually all foreign goods entering the US market. This strategy marks a stark departure from traditional, country-specific trade agreements and is intended to protect American industries by making imported products more expensive.
Analysts suggest this could severely disrupt established supply chains and increase costs for both American businesses and consumers, potentially fuelling inflation.
Alarm Bells in Europe and Asia
The news has sent shockwaves through diplomatic and economic circles in Brussels, New Delhi, and Beijing. European leaders, in particular, are said to be deeply concerned about the potential return of the tit-for-tat trade disputes that characterised Trump's first term.
Such a policy would likely trigger immediate retaliatory measures from affected trading partners, raising the spectre of a damaging cycle of tariffs that could stifle global economic growth.
The Shadow of Past Trade Wars
This is not the first time Trump has wielded tariffs as his primary tool of "economic defence". During his presidency, he imposed steep tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, citing national security concerns. He also launched a protracted and costly trade war with China, which resulted in billions of dollars in tariffs being imposed on goods from both nations.
The potential implementation of this new, broader tariff plan places trade and economic policy at the very heart of the upcoming US presidential election, with profound implications for international relations and the global economy.
