On April 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a series of new tariff measures aimed at protecting domestic industry and reducing the U.S. trade deficit. Among these measures is a universal 10% tariff on nearly all imports, along with specific duties of up to 60% on certain products, primarily those coming from China.

This announcement, in line with the “America First” doctrine initiated during his first term, immediately sent shockwaves across the globe. Financial markets reacted with rare severity: the S&P 500 lost over $5.8 trillion in just four days, and the Nasdaq officially entered bear market territory. European and Asian stock markets followed suit, once again highlighting the extreme interdependence of the global economy.

China targeted, swift retaliation

he European Union quickly voiced its concerns, calling the unilateral decisions a “serious threat” to the international trade order and the rules upheld by the World Trade Organization (WTO). Japan, South Korea, and Brazil also condemned the risk of lasting fragmentation in global trade.

But the consequences are not limited to diplomacy or finance. International companies like Audi have already suspended shipments to the United States, pending clarification on the additional costs associated with the new tariffs. On the American consumer side, a widespread rise in prices is expected, prompting precautionary purchases and adding pressure to supply chains.

Tariff sovereignty with global impact

The surge in trade barriers highlights an inescapable reality: in the era of globalization, tariff policies are no longer mere tools of economic sovereignty. They act as geopolitical levers, capable of disrupting the balance of international trade.

The WTO has already warned that this new wave of tariffs could lead to a 1% contraction in global trade in 2025. In other words, a decision made in Washington can now trigger economic aftershocks in Beijing, Berlin, or Tokyo.