Nearly 100 days in, Donald Trump’s second term as US president has been defined by his determination to upend the established order on nearly all fronts of domestic and foreign policy. In the fifth part of this series, we look at the chaotic landscape in global trade after Trump’s shock increase – and temporary reduction – of tariffs for almost every US trading partner.
Those with a vested interest in global trade – that is to say, almost everyone – are likely treating themselves for whiplash after attempting to follow the wild swings of US President Donald Trump and his administration over the past month.
Following multiple rounds of tariff increases for Chinese goods after beginning his second term in January – an action most expected based on Trump’s first term and his hawkish campaign rhetoric – the president upped the ante on April 2, rolling out an unprecedented…