30 Jul “Trump unleashes new trade war: Key dates that will shape the future of global trade”

Since Donald Trump took office for his second term on January 20, 2025, he has reinitiated an aggressive tariff strategy, rekindling global trade tensions. In a first wave, he signed executive orders imposing tariffs of 25% on Canada and Mexico, and 10% on Chinese imports, effective February 4, under the justification of curbing drug trafficking and protecting US production. This measure was only the beginning of an escalation that includes sectoral tariffs—steel, aluminum, automobiles, and energy—set to rise to 50% in some cases.

In April, during the so-called “Liberation Day” (April 2), Trump signed new executive orders imposing a general 10% tariff on most countries, and specific rates of 20% on the EU, 34% on China, and up to 25% on other key markets, causing a stock market crash and increasing volatility in global markets. As trade negotiations progressed, crucial deadlines such as July 9 were set to avoid the immediate imposition of tariffs or suspensions. Trump warned that if no agreement was reached, the tariffs would go into effect on August 1, with rates that could reach up to 70% for certain countries.

Source: 

El Economista, 2025, July 19, 2025 https://bit.ly/3WZzKhb