How are new tariffs reshaping trade and business decisions? President Trump’s tariff blitz is sending shockwaves worldwide. This week alone:
- India tariffs doubled to 50%, targeting its Russian oil imports (details here)
- 100% tariff announced on imported semiconductors unless companies build in the U.S. (more from Yahoo Finance)
- Swiss goods facing 39% tariffs; China imports at 30%
The result? The U.S. trade deficit shrank to $60.2B in June (a near 2-year low), with the gap with China plunging 70% over five months. But it’s a mixed blessing: import declines mean less choice and higher costs, and trade data remains volatile as firms scramble ahead of policy shifts.
Apple announced a new $100B investment in U.S. production, widely seen as a move to dodge new tariffs. Companies are forced into a high-stakes calculus: localize or lose market access.
