US Imposes New Tariffs on 14 Countries Amid Global Trade Tensions

The Trump administration's trade and tariff policies continue to create significant global economic uncertainty and disruption. Recent US tariff announcements have targeted 14 countries with plans to finalize tariffs on 70 more, fueling market unease and investor jitters due to the historical impact of such measures. China has warned President Trump against reigniting trade tensions, threatening retaliation against countries excluding China from supply chains amid ongoing tariff disputes. Business leaders in Southeast Asia express deep hesitation and risk aversion as ambiguous tariffs complicate procurement and pricing, prompting companies to seek alternatives outside the US, including new manufacturing bases in the Middle East. Some countries, like the UK and Vietnam, have reached tentative deals reducing tariff rates and expanding market access, though these agreements remain skeletal and uncertain. Overall, while the US aims to protect domestic interests under the guise of national security, the broader international business community is grappling with the economic and strategic fallout from these protectionist policies.