Washington, July 17 — In a significant move poised to reshape global trade dynamics, US President Donald Trump has announced plans to implement a 'Unified Tariff Rate' on more than 150 countries. During a press briefing at the White House following his meeting with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Trump remarked that the new trade framework would ensure uniformity for all member nations involved.
As per agency report, Trump indicated that under this scheme, “everything will be the same for everyone in the group,” signaling a shift away from country-specific tariff negotiations. While he did not specify the exact rate on Wednesday, earlier discussions within the administration had hinted at baseline tariffs ranging from 10% to potentially 15% or 20%.
According to Politico, cited by news agency Xinhua, the Trump administration had already introduced a 10% baseline tariff in April for economies not covered under bilateral agreements. Reports indicate that the US government has sent formal letters to nearly two dozen countries, including key partners such as the European Union, Japan, and South Korea, notifying them of the tariff changes set to take effect from August 1.
This development has intensified diplomatic efforts as several of the affected trade partners seek to renegotiate terms under more favorable conditions. However, analysts have raised concerns about whether the new tariff system will be fully operational by the proposed date. Potential repercussions on the US economy and internal political landscape remain areas of concern.
Notably, countries such as Switzerland and India, which accounted for more than three percent of the US trade deficit in 2024 but have not yet received official notification, are still engaged in discussions with Washington.
In comments regarding the US-India trade talks, Trump appeared inconsistent. He initially stated that a new agreement was forthcoming, only to later assert that both nations were “very close” to finalizing a deal. On the subject of Japan, he acknowledged ongoing negotiations but expressed uncertainty about the outcome, suggesting that the US may proceed with Japan in accordance with the new tariff letter.
With this sweeping tariff initiative, the Trump administration appears determined to redefine America’s global trade relationships, even as doubts persist about its broader economic impact and feasibility.
