August 7, 2025: A Turning Point in Global Trade
The United States imposes new tariffs ranging from 15% to 41% on dozens of trading partners, a flagship measure of President Donald Trump's campaign to rebalance trade in favor of America.
Among the most affected sectors, semiconductor manufacturers see their imports taxed at 100%, except for those producing on American soil, limited to 50%. In a gesture of sanction, certain countries face duties of up to 50% on key products, including Brazil with taxes on coffee, sugar, and meat.
China, a major exporter to the United States, suffers a drastic 21.7% decline in its American exports, despite a temporary trade truce expiring on August 12. This tariff conflict is costly for giants like Toyota, whose profits have plummeted 14% due to duties on Japanese cars.
Even allies like Switzerland are not spared, with taxes reaching 39% despite negotiations. As for the European Union, Japan, and South Korea, their products are subject to customs duties of around 15%.
This surge in tariffs is accompanied by an impact on employment and investments in the United States. Apple, for example, plans a massive expansion with 20,000 jobs created and $100 billion in investments, as part of a four-year plan valued at $600 billion.
President Trump justifies this policy as a necessary response to the American trade deficit, which he qualifies as a threat to national security. However, global trade relations are becoming increasingly tense, and the response takes various forms, ranging from losses for some countries to attempts at negotiations to limit the damage.
This new era of tariffs imposes a global realignment, where each partner must rethink their strategy to adapt to an uncertain context. Global trade, once fluid, now faces an unpredictable storm.
