Trump Expands Tariff Plan to Include All Countries
In a major shift from his initial plan to target 15 countries with the largest trade imbalances, U.S. President Donald Trump is now set to impose tariffs on all imported products from every country.
Trump announced that his administration would introduce reciprocal tariffs on all nations, moving beyond the previously identified "Dirty 15" countries. He emphasized that these tariffs would be "far more generous" than what the U.S. had received in return from its trading partners.
&ldquo;They will be kinder than those countries were to the United States of America over the decades. They ripped us apart, like no country has ever been ripped off in history," Trump stated while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One.
However, concerns about an impending trade war are unsettling markets and sparking fears of an economic slowdown in the U.S.
Trump has pledged that the new suite of tariffs will be implemented against nations imposing high duties on American exports. In February, he signed a memorandum directing U.S. trade officials to compile a list of tailored countermeasures for each country.
The new tariffs will apply to countries that contribute most significantly to the U.S. trade deficit, which currently stands at $1.2 trillion. The policy is set to officially take effect on Thursday.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the most affected nations will be those responsible for the largest share of the trade deficit and those imposing high tariffs on U.S. goods. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s what we would call the &lsquo;Dirty 15,&rsquo; but now the scope is broader. It's about 15% of the countries but accounts for a massive portion of our trade volume.&rdquo;
Trump has already imposed tariffs on aluminium, steel, and automobiles, as well as significantly increasing tariffs on all goods from China. The expansion of this policy will further impact major U.S. trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and several others.
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Last week, bilateral talks between the U.S. and India ended without a concrete decision. The joint statement outlined a plan to target $500 billion in trade between the two nations by 2030, along with sector-specific virtual meetings. While the U.S. President and officials have repeatedly criticized India's high tariffs on American products, arguing they hinder market access, and have warned of reciprocal tariffs on Indian imports, neither side has clarified whether a mutually beneficial trade deal was reached.

US President Trump signing executive order imposing tariffs on imported goods (file photos)

No clarity yet on India's position as Trump shifts to tariffs on all nations, not just 15

Trump Expands Tariffs: From 15 Nations to All

No clarity yet on India's position as Trump shifts to tariffs on all nations, not just 15

March 31, 2025 | 09:26 IST