U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff moves have sparked global backlash, with 14 countries—including Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia—facing new tariffs ranging from 25% to 40%. The announcement, made just days before a 90-day tariff pause expired, signals the collapse of recent trade negotiations. 📉
Trade Talks Crumble Amid Pressure
Despite claims of progress, the U.S. secured only one framework deal (with Vietnam) during the 90-day pause. Talks with major partners like the EU, Japan, and Canada remain deadlocked, while the U.S. trade deficit ballooned to a record $1.2 trillion in 2024. Critics call the tariffs "unilateral bullying," with Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru leading sharp pushback. 💼
Deficit Dilemma Deepens
Trump’s tariff strategy backfired spectacularly: the U.S. trade deficit surged 20% in early 2025, hitting $604 billion in just five months. Imports spiked 15.4% as businesses rushed to avoid tariffs, while exports grew a meager 5.3%. The EU and North American trade gaps alone jumped 48.5% and 15.2%, respectively. 📊 Talk about an economic plot twist!
What’s Next?
With new tariffs set for August 2025, countries have three weeks to negotiate—but trust in U.S. trade diplomacy is crumbling. As global markets brace for ripple effects, one thing’s clear: this trade drama is far from over. 🌐✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com