Trump declares sweeping tariffs on Canada and dozens of countries as economic emergency unfolds
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 11, 2025, 21:57 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Highlight of the story: Donald Trump declares new tariffs. A 35% tariff on Canadian imports starts August 1, 2025. Retaliation could mean higher tariffs. Brazil faces a 50% tariff due to political issues. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva vows to respond. Other nations also get tariffs. Copper imports will see a 50% tariff. Economists worry about trade wars. Over 20 nations will be affected.
In a move that is sending shockwaves through global markets, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping 35% tariff on all Canadian imports, set to take effect on August 1, 2025. The decision, revealed through a letter posted on his social media platform Truth Social, was addressed directly to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and included a stark warning: any retaliation from Canada could lead to even higher tariffs.
This decision is part of a broader strategy under what Trump is calling an "economic emergency," aimed at combating persistent trade imbalances. The White House is also imposing a range of new tariffs on other countries, signaling a dramatic shift in U.S. trade policy.
Among the most severe measures is a 50% tariff on all goods from Brazil. Trump justified the steep rate by citing political developments in Brazil, particularly a legal case against former President Jair Bolsonaro—an ally of Trump—who is currently on trial for attempting to subvert democratic institutions. Brazil’s current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva responded swiftly, vowing to retaliate and declaring that Brazil "will not accept being abused by anyone."
Additional tariffs include a 30% duty on imports from Algeria, Iraq, Sri Lanka, and Libya; a 25% tariff on goods from Brunei and Moldova; and a 20% levy on the Philippines. According to a Thursday interview with NBC News, Trump confirmed that even more countries will soon face similar blanket tariffs ranging from 15% to 20%, whether or not formal notices are issued. “We’re just going to say all of the remaining countries are going to pay,” Trump said.
A particularly controversial component of the new trade strategy is a 50% tariff on imported copper, also scheduled to begin on August 1. The administration argues that copper plays a critical role in national security and the manufacturing sector. Critics, however, warn that this move will sharply raise costs for industries that rely heavily on the metal, including construction and electronics.
This flurry of tariff announcements comes under the authority of a 1977 law that allows the president to declare an economic emergency. Trump is using it to justify his expansive trade measures, asserting that ongoing deficits with key trade partners pose a national threat.
Global reactions have been swift and uncertain. Economists fear the move could spark trade wars, disrupt global supply chains, and undermine alliances, particularly with nations like Canada, Japan, and South Korea, all of which have long-standing economic and strategic ties with the United States.
As of now, more than 20 nations are expected to be affected by the August 1 tariff rollout. Whether these tariffs mark a negotiating tactic or a permanent shift in U.S. trade policy remains to be seen. However, the message from Washington is clear: the Trump administration is prepared to redraw the global trade map—unilaterally, if necessary.
This decision is part of a broader strategy under what Trump is calling an "economic emergency," aimed at combating persistent trade imbalances. The White House is also imposing a range of new tariffs on other countries, signaling a dramatic shift in U.S. trade policy.
Among the most severe measures is a 50% tariff on all goods from Brazil. Trump justified the steep rate by citing political developments in Brazil, particularly a legal case against former President Jair Bolsonaro—an ally of Trump—who is currently on trial for attempting to subvert democratic institutions. Brazil’s current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva responded swiftly, vowing to retaliate and declaring that Brazil "will not accept being abused by anyone."
Additional tariffs include a 30% duty on imports from Algeria, Iraq, Sri Lanka, and Libya; a 25% tariff on goods from Brunei and Moldova; and a 20% levy on the Philippines. According to a Thursday interview with NBC News, Trump confirmed that even more countries will soon face similar blanket tariffs ranging from 15% to 20%, whether or not formal notices are issued. “We’re just going to say all of the remaining countries are going to pay,” Trump said.
A particularly controversial component of the new trade strategy is a 50% tariff on imported copper, also scheduled to begin on August 1. The administration argues that copper plays a critical role in national security and the manufacturing sector. Critics, however, warn that this move will sharply raise costs for industries that rely heavily on the metal, including construction and electronics.
This flurry of tariff announcements comes under the authority of a 1977 law that allows the president to declare an economic emergency. Trump is using it to justify his expansive trade measures, asserting that ongoing deficits with key trade partners pose a national threat.
Global reactions have been swift and uncertain. Economists fear the move could spark trade wars, disrupt global supply chains, and undermine alliances, particularly with nations like Canada, Japan, and South Korea, all of which have long-standing economic and strategic ties with the United States.
As of now, more than 20 nations are expected to be affected by the August 1 tariff rollout. Whether these tariffs mark a negotiating tactic or a permanent shift in U.S. trade policy remains to be seen. However, the message from Washington is clear: the Trump administration is prepared to redraw the global trade map—unilaterally, if necessary.