Trump's Trade Deals and Tariffs Spark Global Reactions

The US will impose 25% tariffs on goods imported from India, plus an "unspecified penalty" for buying Russian oil and military equipment, President Donald Trump announced. The measures will take effect from August 1, the US deadline for a trade deal. Trump criticized India's high tariffs and its purchases of Russian military equipment and energy during the Ukraine conflict. India has expressed commitment to concluding a fair and balanced bilateral trade agreement and is studying the implications of Trump's remarks. The US had a $45.8bn trade deficit with India last year, which Trump aims to reduce.

President Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from India, citing the country's high tariffs and trade barriers, as well as its large purchases of military equipment and energy from Russia. The US trade deficit with India rose 5.4% to $45.7 billion, despite increased US exports. Trump also threatened an unspecified "penalty" for India's energy purchases from Russia, criticizing the country for not stopping its dealings with Russia amidst the Ukraine conflict.

President Trump has given Russia 10 days to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, warning that failure to comply may result in secondary sanctions, including tariffs on countries that do business with Russia. Trump had initially given Russia 50 days to make peace with Ukraine, but shortened the deadline after expressing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions. The US and Ukraine have been pushing for an immediate ceasefire to negotiate a lasting peace deal, but Russia has continued to strike Ukraine, prompting Trump's increased pressure on Putin.

The US is set to impose new tariffs on various countries, with India facing a 25% tariff and an additional "penalty" for its dealings with Russia, while countries like Japan, the EU, and South Korea have secured deals with 15% tariffs. Trump's actions suggest that US trade policies are influenced by a country's relationships with other nations, not just trade balances. The US economy remains strong, with a 3% GDP growth in Q2, and major companies like Meta and Microsoft beating earnings expectations. Investors are borrowing heavily to buy stocks, a sign of market exuberance.

The US is set to impose higher tariffs on countries that haven't reached a trade deal with the Trump administration by August 1. So far, only eight countries have made deals, including the UK, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, the EU, and South Korea. Countries like Canada, Australia, and India have not reached an agreement. India has been hit with a 25% tariff and an additional "penalty" for perceived unfair trade practices. Countries that have made deals have seen varying degrees of tariff reductions, with some facing baseline tariffs ranging from 10% to 20%. Those without a deal are likely to face a higher global baseline tariff of 15%-20%.

The European Union reached a preliminary trade agreement with the US, averting a trade war, after President Donald Trump's introduction of tariffs in April. The EU made concessions to keep Trump happy while limiting economic damage, choosing certain tariffs over risky retaliation, with the deal being announced by Trump and EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen.

US President Donald Trump announced a new trade deal with South Korea, setting a 15% tariff on South Korean goods, ahead of an August 1 deadline. The deal includes a $350 billion investment fund, with $150 billion dedicated to shipbuilding cooperation and the rest to sectors like semiconductors and energy. South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung said the agreement eliminated uncertainty in the export environment, despite being negotiated under tough conditions. The 15% tariff is lower than the 25% "reciprocal" tariff that was initially threatened, but still higher than the 10% minimum tariff in place since April. The deal also includes South Korea's purchase of $100 billion worth of liquified natural gas and other energy products from the US over the next 3.5 years.

President Trump successfully negotiated a significant trade deal with the European Union, contradicting predictions of economic doom from experts and critics. The deal includes Europe accepting 15% import tariffs on most goods and investing hundreds of billions of dollars in the US, as well as buying $750 billion of American energy products. Trump's tariffs have generated $300 billion in revenue this year, with expectations of trillions more. The deal is seen as a win-win for America, showcasing Trump's confidence in leveraging the country's might to its advantage. Trump's trade policies have also attracted significant foreign investment, with $5 trillion to $6 trillion pledged. The success of this deal may pave the way for further negotiations, including with China. Trump is expected to use the revenue generated from tariffs to pay down debt and potentially distribute checks to Americans. The article portrays Trump's achievement as a significant victory, proving his critics wrong once again.

Under President Trump, countries are agreeing to buy specific amounts of American fossil fuels, often years in advance, in a shift from traditional trade negotiations that focus on rules for commerce. The European Union, for example, committed to purchasing $750 billion in U.S. energy products over three years, a significant increase from previous levels. However, it's unclear how or whether governments can compel private companies to follow through on these commitments, as they typically operate in open markets. The deals lack clear protocols for enforcement, and past experience with similar agreements, such as with China, shows that targets were not met without consequences. The long-term implications of these deals on climate targets and energy markets are also uncertain, with potential risks of increased dependency on a single supplier, displacement of renewable energy sources, and rising domestic energy prices in the United States.

President Trump announced a trade deal with South Korea, imposing 15% tariffs on South Korean goods, and securing $350 billion in investments in the US and $100 billion in liquefied natural gas purchases. The deal follows other trade agreements with Asian countries, with varying tariff rates. South Korea's car exports face 15% tariffs, and the country will invest in the US shipbuilding, semiconductor, technology, and energy sectors. The agreement removes uncertainty for South Korea's export industries, but some issues, such as defense costs and agricultural imports, remain unresolved and are expected to be discussed in future meetings.

The US has reportedly reached trade agreements with Thailand and Cambodia, according to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, after President Trump threatened to end talks if they didn't agree to a cease-fire in their military conflict. The new tariff rate was not disclosed, but both countries were facing a potential 36% tariff on their goods to the US. Cambodia had hoped for a rate of 15% and offered to improve market access to American goods and buy Boeing planes as part of the deal.

The EU's latest trade deal with the US may increase its economic and security dependence on Washington, undermining its pursuit of strategic autonomy, according to Shi Mingde, China's former ambassador to Germany. Shi argued that the EU's "de-risking" policy aimed at reducing reliance on China is flawed, as the bloc remains heavily dependent on the US.

Critics of the EU-US trade deal, including French Prime Minister François Bayrou, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, have strongly opposed the agreement, warning of severe damage to their economies and alleging that the EU has submitted to the US. However, the article argues that internal reform is more important than external trade, implying that the critics are misguided in their opposition.

President Donald Trump's strained relationships with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are hindering his foreign policy agenda. Trump has expressed disappointment with recent phone calls with both leaders, citing Putin's continued aggression in Ukraine and Netanyahu's actions in Gaza and Syria. Trump's personal approach to foreign affairs, which includes sharing his cell phone number with counterparts, has yielded some successes, but also has its limitations. Trump's frustration with Putin has grown as the Russian leader's actions in Ukraine contradict Trump's expectations, and he has shortened the deadline for Russia to negotiate a ceasefire. Similarly, Trump's patience with Netanyahu has worn thin due to Israel's actions in Gaza, including airstrikes that have led to a humanitarian crisis, causing Trump to break with Netanyahu publicly. Trump's predecessors, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama, have also found that personal relationships with Putin and Netanyahu have limited influence on their actions.

President Donald Trump has stated that he will likely allow Ukrainians who fled the war with Russia to remain in the US, ending months of uncertainty over their status. Approximately 240,000 Ukrainians were granted temporary protected status (TPS) under the Uniting for Ukraine program, but their status was put in doubt after Trump's executive order "Securing our Borders" was issued in January. Trump initially issued a deadline for a decision, but has now indicated that he is leaning towards allowing them to stay, as he has grown increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin's continued attacks on Ukraine.

President Trump faces a moral test as Gaza teeters on the brink of famine, with images of starving children prompting demands for action. The situation recalls past humanitarian crises that have tested U.S. presidents, including those in Rwanda, Darfur, and Syria. Trump has expressed outrage over the images and announced plans to become "more involved," with his special envoy Steve Witkoff set to travel to Israel to discuss Gaza. However, Trump has few good options, given his administration's "America First" foreign policy and the complexities of the Gaza conflict. The U.S. supplies Israel with billions in annual military aid, and Trump lacks influence over Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza. Experts say Trump's predicament is familiar to past presidents, who have struggled to balance moral duty with national interest in the face of humanitarian catastrophes.