The associates of the newly elected US President Donald Trump are studying tariff plans that would apply to every country, but would only concern critically important imported goods. This was stated to the "Washington Post" by three sources familiar with the matter. This is a key change compared to Trump's plans during his presidential campaign, the American publication adds, quoted by BTA and NOVA.
As a candidate for a new presidential term, Trump called for universal tariffs of 10 or 20 percent on all goods imported into the US. A number of economists have warned that such a move could cause price shocks. Two weeks before Trump takes office, his aides are still discussing plans to impose tariffs on goods from every country, the sources said. Instead of imposing tariffs on all imports, however, the current discussions are focusing on imposing them only on certain sectors deemed critical to the country’s national or economic security. The move would scrap a key aspect of Trump’s campaign promise, at least for now, the sources added, adding that no decisions have been finalized and that the plans are subject to change.
No details were released about the types of products or sectors being considered for tariffs. The sources said the preliminary discussions are largely focused on a few key sectors that Trump’s team wants to bring back to the United States. They include the defense supply chain (through tariffs on steel, iron, aluminum and copper); critical medical supplies (syringes, needles, vials and pharmaceutical materials); and energy production (batteries, rare earth minerals and even solar panels), two people familiar with the discussions added.