讀後心得

U.S. President Trump announced the implementation of reciprocal tariffs on multiple countries worldwide, with Taiwan's rate set at 32%. This trade war will impose costs on American consumers and businesses, leading to price increases for various products such as laptops, footwear, toys, and apparel. Trump's tariff plan will impose a 54% tariff on nearly all goods imported from China, and other major trading partners like Vietnam will also face rates as high as 46%. Experts predict that as tariffs take effect, consumer prices will rise, impacting various industries.

U.S. President Trump announced a reciprocal tariff policy for various countries, with Taiwan's rate reaching 32%. Trump officially launched a trade war against multiple countries worldwide on the 2nd. However, foreign media warns that the cost of this trade war will ultimately be borne by American consumers and businesses.

Reports indicate that in the situation where "the prices of all goods will increase", four categories of products will be affected first, including laptops and tablets, footwear, toys, and apparel. Trump's reciprocal tariff policy will be his first large-scale taxation action after returning to the White House.

According to reports from CNN, the current question is no longer "what items might see price increases," but rather "when will they increase." According to Trump's plan announced on the 2nd, all goods imported to the U.S. from countries other than specific items from Mexico and Canada will face at least a 10% tariff.

• According to the data, the 60 countries classified as "countries with the most severe trade barriers" will face higher tariffs, with China being the primary target. Starting April 9, the U.S. will impose a 54% tariff on nearly all imported Chinese goods.
• If Trump further imposes an additional 25% tariff on countries involved in oil transactions with Venezuela (such as China), the overall tariff rate could reach as high as 79%.
• Other key tariff countries include Vietnam, which will face a 46% tariff, while Taiwan, as the eighth largest source of imports for the U.S., will bear a 32% tariff.

As tariffs are imposed on imported goods, the first to bear the cost will be the businesses importing to the U.S. However, whether businesses will pass these costs entirely onto consumers will depend on the circumstances. Some businesses and wholesalers have fixed price contracts, while others may choose to absorb some costs to retain customers. Although Trump advocates that bringing production back to the U.S. will make tariffs zero, the high production costs in the U.S. could still lead to price increases.

Under the influence of tariffs, the following four types of products may see price increases first:

1. Laptops and Tablets
   According to U.S. federal trade data, China, Vietnam, and Taiwan are the top three sources of laptop and tablet imports to the U.S., totaling $47.2 billion. Almost all consumer electronics, including smartphones and computer monitors, could see price increases. The U.S. heavily relies on semiconductors supplied by Taiwan, and if costs rise, the prices of laptops, cars, home appliances, and medical equipment will also be affected, especially since new cars contain thousands of chips. Although Trump has proposed a 25% tariff on semiconductors, White House data indicates that this tariff will not be cumulative with the already announced "reciprocal tariffs." According to a vice president of the Consumer Technology Association, current retail inventories may run out in 3 to 4 months, at which point consumers may face price increases.
2. Footwear
   China and Vietnam exported $18.5 billion worth of footwear to the U.S. last year, accounting for nearly 70% of U.S. footwear imports, and price increases are almost inevitable.
3. Toys
   China and Vietnam are the major import sources for toys in the U.S., with total exports reaching $15 billion last year. According to estimates from the Toy Association, 78% of toys sold in the U.S. come from China. The toy industry operates on thin margins and finds it difficult to absorb costs; it is expected that toy prices will rise by at least 30% after the new tariffs take effect, which will be significantly reflected during the back-to-school season when new toys are launched.
4. Apparel
   China and Vietnam exported apparel worth $14 billion to the U.S. last year, making them the two largest sources. Additionally, other major apparel source countries like Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Cambodia will face tariffs ranging from 26% to 49%. A spokesperson for the fashion industry believes that Trump's tariffs will have a significant impact on the fashion industry.