The US has warned it will increase import tariffs to 15% or higher on some countries

The US has warned it may raise additional import tariffs from 10% to 15% or higher on some countries, raising concerns about the cost of goods and global trade stability.

On February 25, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced that additional U.S. import tariffs on goods from certain countries could increase from the current 10% to 15% or higher. However, Greer did not specify which countries would be affected or the details of the tariffs.

The announcement of the tariff increase comes as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is adjusting its tariff policy after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected most of the retaliatory tariffs, arguing that they exceeded the authority of existing law. In response, the U.S. government has imposed a 10% global import tariff on most imported goods, effective for 150 days under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.

The imposition of these tariffs has prompted some of America's major trading partners, such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, and several other countries, to express concerns about the stability and predictability of trade policy. US officials have affirmed that they will maintain the validity of previously signed trade agreements, despite the new tariffs. US Trade Representative Greer previously stated that the US continues to engage in dialogue with its partners to explain that the signed agreements "are good agreements" and that the US expects its partners to respect them.

Currently, the 10% additional import tariff has been officially applied by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to all non-exempt goods since February 24, 2026. However, the application of the 15% tariff that Mr. Trump had previously announced has caused confusion in the market due to the discrepancy between the administration's decision and the tax agency's announcement.

According to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, tariffs can be increased by up to 15% for a period of 150 days. After this period, the U.S. government needs congressional approval.

Economists believe that if import tariffs rise to 15% or higher, it could impact the cost of goods imported into the US, forcing many countries to adjust their export strategies to this market. In some cases, the tariffs could significantly increase the price of goods from countries such as the UK, Italy, Singapore, or Australia.

However, recent bilateral trade agreements signed by the US – for example with the European Union (EU) or China – are still maintained by the US side as valid, even if overall tariff levels may change.

Source: VTV