WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is set to roll out his biggest batch of tariffs on Wednesday.
His reciprocal tariff plan has caused considerable uncertainty, with many key aspects still unclear, including the number of affected states, the method for calculating each country’s tariff rate, and which nations will face the greatest impact.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in a Fox Business interview on March 18, singled out what he called the “Dirty 15,” referring to the 15% of nations that account for the bulk of US trading volume while imposing hefty tariffs and other “non-tariff barriers” on US goods. Tap the link in bio to find out which “Dirty 15” countries may be targeted.
Since taking office, Trump has unsettled global stock markets, concerned corporate executives and economists, and sparked intense disputes with the US’s largest trading partners by repeatedly announcing and postponing plans to impose tariffs on foreign imports.
Trump has made clear some objectives he wants to achieve through his tariffs: bring manufacturing back to the US, respond to unfair trade policies from other countries, boost tax revenue and encourage stricter enforcement on migration and drug trafficking.
“The world has been ripping off the United States for the last 40 years and more,” Trump told NBC over the weekend. “All we’re doing is being fair.”
“We helped everybody, and they don’t help us,” Trump said.
Earlier Trump had mentioned countries like South Korea, Brazil and India, along with the EU, as being possible targets for reciprocal tariffs.
The president has largely downplayed concerns that his tariffs—essentially a tax on imports—could drive up prices for American consumers and businesses or trigger retaliatory measures harming farmers and other exporters.
Trump has already implemented several rounds of major tariffs, including those targeting imports from China, Canada, and Mexico. In March, Trump announced a 25% tariff on all imported vehicles and, later, on imported auto parts, set to begin taking effect on Thursday.
