President Donald Trump yesterday unveiled a series of new measures imposing reciprocal tariffs on 60 countries worldwide. This announcement represents a notable shift in traditional U.S. trade policies and, according to the President, aims to address a longstanding commercial imbalance that has affected the U.S. for decades.

During his speech, President Trump emphasised that “the U.S. has been taken advantage of for 50 years” in terms of tariffs and that it is now time to establish reciprocal taxation.

–

READ MORE : The Impact of the US Customs Duty Increase

–

New Tariffs for Certain Countries :

The newly announced measures include:

-Reciprocal tariffs, implemented based on the tariffs each country applies to U.S. products.

-A baseline tariff of 10% for all countries not included in the list of 60 targeted nations.

-A 25% tariff on all cars manufactured outside the U.S., which will have a particular impact on European and Asian automakers.

Examples of Tariffs Applied : 

Some of the most impacted countries include:

-China: 34%
-European Union: 20%
-Vietnam: 46%
-United Kingdom: 10%
-South Korea: 25%
-Thailand: 36%

These new tariffs are set to take effect at 12:01 AM on April 9, while the baseline 10% tariff will come into force on April 5.

Changes to De Minimis for China and Hong Kong : 

Another significant change introduced in this reform is the removal of the de minimis exemption for goods originating from China and Hong Kong.

-As of May 2, products shipped from these regions will no longer benefit from the $800 exemption. This means that even small parcels will now be subject to tariffs.

-A special postal duty of $25 or 30% of the declared value will be applied, which will double to $50 on June 1.

-Airlines handling these parcels will be responsible for collecting and remitting the duties to U.S. Customs, which could discourage some carriers from accepting mail shipments from China.

A Changing Global Trade Landscape : 

These new measures are part of the Trump administration’s broader protectionist economic policy and are backed by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The ultimate goal is to restore balanced international trade and protect U.S. industries.

The key question now is how the affected countries will respond to these changes and whether they will impose their own retaliatory tariffs. One thing is clear: this move could significantly influence global trade dynamics in the months ahead.

At MyDutyCollect, we help businesses navigate these complexities by providing automated customs clearance, accurate duty and tax calculations, and compliance solutions. As trade regulations shift, having the right tools in place can make all the difference.

Get in touch with us to see how we can support your cross-border operations. Subscribe to our blog and visit our ​ and ​LinkedIn​ page for more updates. You can also reach out to us by sending a message to ​info@mydutycollect.com. We will be delighted to hear from you.