New U.S. Tariffs Up to 49%: Trump’s 2025 Trade Policy Hits Vietnam, China, Bangladesh

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 President Trump's reciprocal tariffs:

• Chile 10%
• India 26%
• Israel 17%
• Brazil 10%
• China 34%
• Japan 24%
• Turkey 10%
• Taiwan 32%
• Vietnam 46%
• Pakistan 29%
• Thailand 36%
• Australia 10%
• Malaysia 24%
• Colombia 10%
• Sri Lanka 44%
• Singapore 10%
• Indonesia 32%
• Cambodia 49%
• Philippines 17%
• Switzerland 31%
• Bangladesh 37%
• South Korea 25%
• South Africa 30%
• United Kingdom 10%
• European Union 20%

 

U.S. Tariff Rates Before vs. After April 2025 “Reciprocal” Tariffs

President Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement in April 2025 introduced sweeping reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports, raising tariff rates on dozens of countries. Below we present a detailed before-and-after comparison of average U.S. tariff rates for each affected country. The “Previous” rate reflects the approximate average tariff before this announcement (overall or trade-weighted, as available), and the “New” rate is the announced tariff effective April 2025. We also show the change in percentage points for each.

Background: Previous U.S. Tariff Rates (Before April 2025)

Generally low U.S. tariffs: Prior to these changes, U.S. import tariffs were very low for most trade partners – averaging around 1.5%–3% overall. In fact, in 2017 the trade-weighted average U.S. tariff was only **1.5%**, and even after the 2018–2019 trade war it was about **3%**. Most industrial goods entered the U.S. duty-free or at minimal rates. For example, large import categories like electronics had average duties of only ~2.7% on the dutiable portion.

FTA partners (near 0% tariffs): The U.S. had free trade agreements with several countries on the list – notably Chile, Israel, Australia, Singapore, Colombia, South Korea, and others – under which virtually all imports from those partners were duty-free before this announcement. For instance, under the U.S.-Chile FTA **most Chilean goods entered the U.S. duty-free (100% of tariffs phased out by 2015). Likewise, the U.S.-Israel FTA eliminated duties on all industrial goods by 1995, and the Australia FTA made 99%+ of imports duty-free by 2022. The U.S.-Korea FTA similarly removed tariffs on about 95% of bilateral trade within 3 years of 2012. In short, prior to 2025 these FTA countries enjoyed effectively 0% U.S. tariff rates on nearly all goods.

Other WTO trading partners: For other countries without an FTA, the U.S. applied its normal Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rates. These were still low for advanced economies – e.g. imports from Japan, the UK, Switzerland, and the EU faced only low single-digit tariffs on average (often ~2–3%). For example, passenger cars from Europe or Japan carried a 2.5% U.S. duty (vehicles and parts averaged ~2.7%), and many high-value products (pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, aircraft) were duty-free under WTO agreements.

Trade-war tariffs on China: One major exception was China. In 2018–2019, the U.S. imposed Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, raising the average U.S. tariff on imports from China from about 3% in 2017 to ~19% by early 2020. This remained in effect through 2025 (the average U.S. tariff on Chinese goods was ~20–21% prior to the new announcement). China’s previous tariff level is much higher than any other country on the list, reflecting those earlier trade-war duties.

Higher tariffs on apparel exporters: A few developing countries already faced higher-than-average U.S. tariffs because their exports are concentrated in apparel and textiles, which carry the steepest U.S. duties. Notably, imports from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, etc., consist largely of clothing and footwear – categories where U.S. MFN tariffs are often 15–19% on dutiable goods. For example, Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the U.S. incurred an average tariff around 15–16% (one of the highest). Cambodia and Sri Lanka similarly faced effective rates in the mid-teens percent range due to U.S. duties on garments. India and Vietnam also export some apparel (subject to ~14–16% tariffs), but their overall average was diluted by other duty-free goods (pharmaceuticals, electronics, etc.), so their pre-2025 averages were lower (low-to-mid single digits). In summary, before Trump’s new policy, most countries saw only minimal U.S. tariffs, with only China and apparel-heavy exporters facing double-digit percentages in the teens.

New “Reciprocal” Tariffs Announced in April 2025

Under the new “reciprocal tariff” regime, the U.S. is imposing a base 10% tariff on all imports and higher rates on certain countries deemed to have high trade barriers. President Trump’s team calculated an “overall tariff (and barrier) rate” for each country and set the new U.S. tariff to roughly half of that. The result is a schedule of tariffs ranging from 10% up to nearly 50% on different countries’ goods. (Notably, Canada and Mexico were exempted, remaining at the 10% base rate.)

Some highlights from the announced chart of reciprocal tariffs:

Minimum 10% on many countries – this base rate applies to allies with relatively open trade, such as the United Kingdom, Chile, Australia, Singapore, Colombia, and others.

Much higher tariffs (20–30%+) on countries deemed to have large barriers. For example: China 34%, India 26%, Japan 24%, South Korea 25%, Indonesia 32%, Taiwan 32%, South Africa 30%, **Switzerland 31%**.

Extremely high rates (40%+) on a few nations – e.g. Vietnam 46%, Sri Lanka 44%, Cambodia 49%, Bangladesh 37% – reflecting what the administration calls those countries’ very steep barriers. (Cambodia’s 49% is the highest tariff on the list.)

The European Union as a whole is assigned 20%, and Israel 17%, under the reciprocal formula. Other U.S. allies like Turkey and Brazil are set at 10% (only the baseline, since the claim is their barriers are equivalent to ~20%).

In Trump’s words, “We will charge them approximately half of what they have been charging us” – hence these new rates are generally about half of each country’s alleged overall tariff against the U.S. (It’s “kind of reciprocal, not full reciprocal,” as he described.) The table below summarizes the specific new tariff rate for each country alongside the previous average rate and the increase.

Before-and-After Tariff Comparison by Country

The following table lists each country and its average U.S. tariff rate before the April 2025 announcement versus the new tariff rate announced (effective April 2025). The Change column shows the increase in percentage points. (Previous rates are best estimates of the overall or trade-weighted average U.S. tariff on imports from that country prior to 2025. New rates are Trump’s announced reciprocal tariffs.)

Table: Average U.S. tariff rates on imports by country, before vs. after Trump’s April 2025 reciprocal tariffs. Previous rates are approximate. New rates are as announced (including the 10% base and any “reciprocal” add-on). Change is the increase in percentage points.

Notable Changes and Impacts

Across-the-board increases: Virtually every country on the list sees a significant jump in tariff rates. The U.K. and various U.S. FTA partners (Chile, Australia, Singapore, Israel, etc.) go from effectively 0% to 10% tariffs – a +10 point increase, ending decades of duty-free access. Even close allies now face the baseline tariff.

Biggest jumps for high-barrier countries: The most dramatic increases hit countries that previously faced low U.S. tariffs but are now assigned very high rates. For example, Vietnam’s tariff jumps by roughly 40 points (from ~6% to 46%), one of the largest absolute increases. Taiwan, Thailand, South Africa, and Indonesia each see increases around +30 percentage points (e.g. Thailand rising from ~4% to 36%). Switzerland (from ~0% to 31%) and South Korea (0% to 25%) also see jumps of 25–30 points despite previously enjoying free trade. This reflects Trump’s view that these partners had significant hidden barriers (or trade surpluses) warranting reciprocal duties.

Already-high tariff partners get higher: Countries that already faced elevated U.S. tariffs in the teens now face rates in the 30–50% range. For instance, Cambodia and Sri Lanka – whose exports (apparel) were previously taxed ~15% – are now set to 49% and 44% respectively, an increase of ~30+ points. Bangladesh, from ~16% to 37%, and Pakistan, from ~10% to 29%, likewise see their tariffs roughly double. These nations will continue to pay among the highest U.S. rates of any country (nearly one-third or more of import value) under the new policy.

China and India: Even though U.S. tariffs on China were already high (~19% average), the new plan raises them further to 34% minimum. This +15 point increase on China adds to existing Section 301 tariffs, meaning many Chinese goods now face well over 50% total duties when combined (34% reciprocal + earlier tariffs). India’s tariff jumps from a modest ~3% to 26%, an increase of over 20 points. India’s new rate is among the higher middle-tier rates, reflecting its reputation for protective tariffs on certain goods (e.g. automobiles, electronics) – the U.S. is now reciprocating with a steep duty of its own.

European Union and UK: The EU’s new 20% tariff, while double-digit, is a relatively smaller increase given the EU previously faced ~3% U.S. tariffs (+17 points). The UK is essentially held at the 10% base (since Trump’s team calculated the UK’s overall tariff on U.S. goods at ~10%). Going from ~2% to 10% is a smaller +8 point change, making the UK one of the least affected in this list. In effect, Europe and the UK still see substantial tariff increases, but not nearly as severe as those imposed on many Asian and African countries with higher purported barriers.

In summary, President Trump’s April 2025 reciprocal tariff initiative marks a dramatic escalation of U.S. import duties across the board. Prior to this, U.S. tariffs were historically low – often negligible for allies and averaging only 1–3% overall. Now, with the 10% baseline and country-specific surcharges, U.S. tariff rates have climbed to levels not seen in decades. The comparison table above starkly illustrates these changes: many countries that once enjoyed near-zero tariffs must now contend with double-digit rates, and those that already faced higher tariffs will be hit with truly punitive levels (30–50%). These changes represent increases of anywhere from +7–8 percentage points (for the UK, Brazil, Turkey) up to +30–40 points (for Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and others). Such a broad hike in import duties is expected to reshape trade flows and could provoke retaliation, as trading partners grapple with the new barriers. The U.S. has effectively shifted from one of the world’s most open markets to one of the more protectionist, at least with respect to the countries listed, in an effort to pressure for “fair” and reciprocal treatment.

Sources: Official U.S. tariff data and trade reports were used to estimate previous average rates. New tariff rates are drawn from President Trump’s April 2, 2025 announcement and published tariff schedules. The figures and changes are as reported by Reuters, TradeWinds, and other news outlets covering the “Liberation Day” tariff announcement. All data are summarized in the table for clarity.