讀後心得

Starting from the early morning of April 5, the United States implemented a new tariff policy, with the first batch of affected countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, and China. Goods already in transit can enjoy a 51-day tax exemption period, allowing for a 10% tariff exemption before arrival. The subsequent "reciprocal tariff" rates will range from 11% to 50%, with Chinese goods requiring a 34% tariff, which, combined with the previous 20%, will reach 54%. Although Trump claimed that this move would revitalize the U.S. economy, the stock market suffered a significant drop of $5 trillion. China and the European Union subsequently announced countermeasures, and it is expected that countries will adjust their tax rates due to negotiations, leading to upward pressure on consumer prices.

The new regulations for U.S. ports, airports, and customs warehouses began at 12:01 AM Eastern Time on Saturday (April 5). The first batch of affected countries includes Australia, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Argentina, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection announcement, goods that were shipped or boarded and en route to the U.S. before early Saturday will have a 51-day grace period. As long as these goods can arrive by 12:01 AM Eastern Time on May 27, they will be exempt from a 10% tariff.

Next, the “reciprocal tariff” rates, which will be implemented next Wednesday (April 9), will range from 11% to 50%. EU goods will face a 20% tariff, and the tariff rate for Taiwanese goods will be 32%. Chinese goods will be subjected to a 34% tariff, plus the 20% tariff previously imposed by Trump on all imported goods from China, resulting in a cumulative rate of up to 54%. In announcing the new tariff policy this Wednesday, Trump stated that these tariffs would lead the U.S. back to a “golden era,” however, the stock market subsequently plummeted, and the market value of S&P 500 companies evaporated by $5 trillion in just two days.

On Friday, China implemented a 34% counter-tariff on U.S. imports, and the EU also expressed intentions to take retaliatory measures, while other countries, including India, maintained a wait-and-see stance. This is the most aggressive step Trump has taken in his trade policy. Economists point out that U.S. consumers will face significant price increases, and consumers in other parts of the world will also feel the pressure.

A trade lawyer from Hogan Lovells stated, “This is a fundamental and significant shift in how we trade with every country in the world.” She anticipates that these tariffs will vary based on negotiations with different countries.

• The new regulations take effect at 12:01 AM on April 5
• First batch of affected countries: Australia, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Argentina, Egypt, Saudi Arabia
• Goods arriving before May 27 will be exempt from a 10% tariff
• Reciprocal tariff rates range from 11% to 50%
• Tariff rate for Chinese goods is 34%, with a cumulative rate of 54%
• Trump claims tariffs will lead back to an economic “golden era”
• Stock market value evaporated by $5 trillion
• China and EU initiate retaliatory measures