The US imposes the latest reciprocal tariffs on 14 countries, the most surprising tariffs come from these countries
US President Donald Trump has announced new reciprocal tariffs on imported goods from 14 countries, effective from August 1.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, President Trump sent letters to the leaders of countries including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Laos, Myanmar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tunisia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Serbia, Cambodia and Thailand to announce the new tax policy.
The tariffs are part of a previously announced plan to impose tariffs on countries that have not reached trade deals with the United States.
Specifically, goods from Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Tunisia will be subject to a 25% tax rate.
South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina face a 30% tariff, while Indonesia is hit with a 32% tariff. Bangladesh and Serbia are hit with a 35% tariff, while Cambodia and Thailand are hit with a 36% tariff.
Laos and Myanmar face the highest tariffs this time, up to 40%.
President Trump announced that these tariffs could be adjusted depending on the trade relationship with each country and the tariff response from these countries on US goods.
According to CNN, these 14 countries exported a total of $465 billion in goods to the US in 2024, with Japan and South Korea being the two largest trading partners, accounting for 60% of the value of goods. The new tariffs are unrelated to the current 25% auto tariff and are applied separately from other industry taxes.
President Trump also signed an executive order extending the trade negotiation period from July 9 to August 1, giving countries more time to reach an agreement and avoid higher tariffs.
Previously, in April, the US suspended tariffs for 90 days, during which time countries were only subject to a minimum tax rate of 10%.
The White House said President Trump will continue to send letters to other trading partners in the coming days to announce more tariffs. The move marks a new phase in the US trade strategy, aimed at addressing trade deficits with global partners.
