Trump ramps up tariff blitz

US Trade War Intensifies as Donald Trump Expands Tariffs

President Donald Trump is pushing ahead with a series of new duties that will become effective on Friday, August 1. In a move aimed at maximizing revenue, Washington is also setting a 25 % tariff on goods from India, a 50 % levy on Brazilian products, and a 50 % duty on copper pipes and wiring.

Key Developments

• India faces a 25 % tariff and an unspecified penalty tied to Russian weapons and energy purchases.
• Brazil will see a 50 % import duty, which was postponed from August 1 to August 6 and exempted from the levy for items such as orange juice and civil aircraft.
• Trump has already honored his promise to impose a 50 % duty on copper pipes and wiring, a decision that followed a Commerce Department probe on national security grounds.
• South Korea secured a 15 % tariff, below the 25 % rate that was originally threatened.

Trade‑War Backdrop

The U.S.–China dispute escalated last year and is now moving toward a truce that keeps duties at lower levels. Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, the EU, and South Korea have already reached deals with Washington that reduce the severity of tariffs. Washington, however, continues to expand its trade wars, as evidenced by the August 1 deadline that Trump has vowed will not be extended any further.

Economic Implications

Economists caution that higher duties can fuel inflation and weigh on growth. A recent analysis by The Budget Lab at Yale University shows that the average effective tariff rate is the highest since the 1930s. While the ripple effect on consumer prices so far has been limited, analysts warn that it could become more pronounced as businesses run down inventory and pass on costs to buyers.

Future Outlook

As the August 1 deadline draws near, the U.S. is facing pressure to strike deals with Washington—especially in sectors impacted by tariffs such as copper and Brazilian goods. The trade war is moving toward a possible truce that keeps duties lower, but the U.S. continues to push for a reshaping of global trade.