WASHINGTON : President Donald Trump has enacted reciprocal tariffs on over 180 countries and territories, including Pakistan, intensifying a trade conflict that threatens to disrupt global economies.
At a White House event announcing these measures, Trump stated, “In many cases, the friend is worse than the foe in terms of trade.”
He expressed frustration over the United States subsidizing numerous nations, suggesting that these countries should be economically self-sufficient. “Why are we doing this? At what point do we say you need to work for yourselves?” he posed, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to putting American interests first.
Trump declared, “Trade deficits are no longer merely an economic issue; they are a national emergency.” During the announcement, he unveiled a chart displaying the updated tariff rates imposed on various countries, revealing increases of up to 50%.
Specifically, the new tariffs include a 29% reciprocal tariff on Pakistan, in response to the 58% tariff that Pakistan levies on imports from the United States.
The updated trade policy also sees rates of 26% on India, 34% on China, 20% on the European Union, and 10% on Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Afghanistan. Additional tariffs include 37% on Bangladesh, 24% on Japan, 17% on Israel, and 10% on the United Kingdom.
In retaliation, numerous governments worldwide have vowed to introduce countermeasures against the U.S. following Trump’s implementation of a baseline 10% tariff on imports from all nations, along with the reciprocal tariffs.
