By Esther Ososanya
President Donald Trump’s steep new tariffs, some reaching 50%, hit U.S. trading partners with full force Thursday, triggering global fallout, defiant rhetoric, and scrambling negotiations from allies caught off guard.
With duties now at their highest in a century, countries like Brazil, Switzerland, India, and Canada are reeling, while others race to salvage partial deals to avoid the harshest penalties.
At exactly 12:01 a.m. EDT, U.S. Customs began collecting the new import tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%. Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff regime marks a dramatic escalation in his protectionist economic doctrine.
“RECIPROCAL TARIFFS TAKE EFFECT AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “BILLIONS OF DOLLARS… will start flowing into the USA.” He blamed “radical left courts” as the only possible obstacle to America’s “greatness”.
Partners Push Back — Hard
Brazil and India, facing 50% tariffs, struck defiant tones. President Lula da Silva said he wouldn’t “humiliate” himself by calling Trump. Indian PM Narendra Modi declared he “won’t compromise farmers’ interests”, brushing off a fresh 25% duty tied to India’s Russian oil purchases.
Switzerland’s president returned empty-handed after last-ditch talks in Washington. An emergency cabinet meeting was called in Bern to respond to the 39% tariff blow.
Canada, also hit with 35%, and South Africa failed to win last-minute reprieves despite high-level outreach.
Winners, Losers, and a Rewired Map
Eight countries, including the EU, Japan, South Korea, and Britain, landed reduced tariff deals, securing entry rates between 10% and 20%. Others, including Vietnam, Pakistan, and the Philippines, also struck compromise agreements.
“These countries dodged the worst,” said trade expert William Reinsch of CSIS. “For others, the pain’s just beginning.”
He warned of price spikes and supply chain turbulence that “will take time to show up but will hit hard.”
READ ALSO: Brazil’s Bolsonaro Under House Arrest Amid Tensions with Trump
While Trump says the tariffs will generate over $300 billion annually, the U.S. Commerce Department reported early signs of consumer price hikes in June from furniture to auto parts.
Toyota alone expects a $10 billion hit, slashing its profit forecast by 16%. American brands from Caterpillar to Marriott are also bracing for cost shocks.
China faces a potential fresh round of tariffs on August 12 if talks falter. Trump has also threatened new penalties tied to China’s oil trade with Russia.
Meanwhile, goods transshipped through third countries may face an extra 40% duty, though the enforcement process remains vague.
Trump’s tariff blitz has redrawn the global trade map, punishing rivals, pressuring allies, and risking blowback across industries. The long-term economic cost is unclear, but the short-term political message is unmistakable: America First, at full price.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
