How Trump is using punitive tariffs as a means of conducting foreign policy | DW News

A raft of new US tariffs on more than 90 countries has taken effect, upending decades of trade policy. US President Trump announced the start of the measures, which include lower rates for some countries that have signed trade deals.

The tariffs mean companies bringing foreign goods into the US will have to pay new duties ranging from 10% to 50%. Trump and his supporters say the measures will help cut the trade deficit and create new jobs.

But economists say the costs will be passed on to consumers, including for example, the cost of a cup of Brazilian coffee. Brazil has been hit with tariffs of 50% -- despite the fact the US actually has a trade surplus with Brazil. President Ignacio Lula da Silva accuses his US counterpart of not being civilized.

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