Trump Signs Executive Orders Reimposing Tariffs on Dozens of Countries, Targets Canada With Extra Duties

United States President Donald Trump has signed fresh executive orders reinstating “reciprocal tariffs” on imports from nearly 70 countries, with rates ranging from 10 percent to 41 percent, reigniting global trade tensions just days before earlier tariff rules were set to expire.

The White House confirmed the move late on Thursday, saying the measures were necessary to address what Trump called “continued unfair trade practices and lack of reciprocity” from US trading partners.

In a separate order, Trump increased tariffs on Canadian goods to 35 percent, accusing Ottawa of failing to do enough to curb the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the US. The new duties on Canada will take effect August 1, while tariffs on other countries begin August 7.

“It is necessary and appropriate to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14257 by imposing additional ad valorem duties on goods of certain trading partners,” Trump said in a statement.

The updated tariff list names 69 countries and territories, applying different rates based on Trump’s assessment of trade balances or bilateral relations.

10 percent tariffs will hit countries where the US maintains a trade surplus, including Australia and the UK.

15 percent or higher will apply to countries where the US runs trade deficits, with particularly high duties of 40-41 percent slapped on Myanmar, Syria, and Laos.

India faces a 25 percent rate, Taiwan 20 percent, while Pakistan’s tariff was cut from 29 to 19 percent.

Switzerland, surprisingly, saw its rate increase to 39 percent, baffling trade analysts.

Trump’s administration has already signed separate agreements with the European Union, Japan, South Korea, the UK, Indonesia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand, and the Philippines, securing lower rates for these partners compared to the blanket tariffs first announced on April 2, dubbed “Liberation Day tariffs.”

While Mexico and China escaped new penalties this week — both involved in ongoing trade negotiations with Washington — Canada was directly targeted with a 10 percent hike from existing 25 percent duties.

Trump accused Canada of “failing to cooperate in curbing the ongoing flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs” entering the US, adding that Ottawa “has not done enough to protect Americans.”

Many countries now have a seven-day window to strike deals with Washington before the new tariffs take hold on August 7.

China faces a looming 30 percent tariff hike on most of its goods unless talks conclude before August 12, while Mexico secured a 90-day reprieve following direct talks between Trump and President Claudia Sheinbaum.

The administration is also preparing new rules of origin to stop “transshipped goods” from dodging tariffs, potentially tightening trade flows further in coming weeks.

Trump has repeatedly defended his tariff blitz, calling them a tool to revive US manufacturing and bring in “billions in taxes,” dismissing warnings about rising consumer costs and global market instability.

With input from Al Jazeera