Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Jul 12: President Donald Trump has intensified his global tariff push, delaying a major hike until August 1 but introducing new copper duties and raising levies on Canada and Brazil, shaking up trade relations across continents.

Though a widely anticipated July 9 deadline passed without full implementation, Trump’s administration confirmed that a raft of "reciprocal" tariff hikes will take effect from next month. The baseline 10 percent duty introduced in April remains, with country-specific hikes now being rolled out individually.

Canada, initially hit with a 25 percent tariff, will now face a 35 percent duty on several goods. Products covered under the USMCA trade pact are expected to remain exempt, but Canadian energy and potash exports will still see reduced tariffs. Mexico, another USMCA partner, continues to face levies over immigration and fentanyl concerns.

Brazil, which was not on the original list of elevated tariffs, has now been hit with a higher duty, with Trump citing the country’s trade deficit with the US.

China remains a key target. After months of escalations, both countries agreed to reduce tariffs in a temporary truce set to expire mid-August. US tariffs on Chinese goods now stand at 30 percent, while Beijing has lowered its duties to 10 percent. However, Washington maintains an additional 20 percent tariff due to China's alleged role in the fentanyl crisis.

Newly announced duties include a 50 percent tariff on copper, set to begin August 1. Trump had already doubled existing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 percent.

Trump also confirmed plans for a 25 percent tariff on automobiles and their components, with exceptions for products entering under USMCA. Low-cost imports from China are no longer exempt from duties, affecting consumer goods such as electronics and clothing.

So far, only the UK and Vietnam have reached initial agreements with Washington. Most other countries await clarification on their tariff status.

Some sectors like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, energy commodities, and precious metals remain excluded from immediate tariff actions, but investigations into these industries are ongoing and could result in new levies.

Trump’s sweeping measures have already faced legal roadblocks. In May, the US Court of International Trade ruled that the administration had exceeded its authority in issuing global tariffs. A federal appeals court has temporarily allowed the duties to remain in force while the case is reviewed.

Despite growing pushback, Trump defended his stance, saying America is leading from strength and demanding fairness in global trade.