Major breaking news from the United States! Trump is considering imposing tariffs of 10% or 15% on more than 150 countries.

US President Donald Trump has once again dropped a bombshell by stating that he will send letters to over 150 countries around the world, informing them of tariff rates and considering imposing tariffs of 10% or 15%. This news not only adds more uncertainty to the global trade situation but also highlights the Trump administration's "America First" trade agenda once again. Although the market had anticipated tariff policies to some extent, such a large-scale threat of tariffs still has trading partners on edge, contemplating how to respond to this potential trade storm.

Trump's "Payment Notification": A Global Trade Shockwave

Trump said to reporters at the White House on Wednesday: "We will issue payment notifications to over 150 countries, which will specify the tariff rates." He added: "For this group, everyone's situation is the same." He stated that the trading partners receiving these letters "are not major powers, and their businesses are not large."

However, during an interview on the "Real American Voice" program that aired later on Wednesday, Trump further revealed that the tax rate "could be 10% or 15%, we haven't decided yet." This uncertain range of tax rates makes it even more difficult for countries to estimate the potential impact.

Trump has issued a series of tariff demands in recent days, informing other economies that if they cannot negotiate better terms with the United States, new tariffs will take effect on August 1. These letters have extended the original deadline of July 9 by three weeks, sparking a frantic rush among trading partners to avoid the imposition of tariffs.

The 'Indifference' in Trade Negotiations: Trump's Tough Stance

Despite Trump and his advisers initially expressing hope for reaching multiple agreements, the president has consistently touted the tariff letters themselves as "agreements" and suggested he is not interested in repeated negotiations. Nonetheless, he has still kept the door open for countries to reach agreements that could potentially lower these tariffs.

The tax rates implemented so far are roughly the same as the rates Trump threatened in April, but after market fluctuations, Trump quickly suspended these rates. However, these letters injected more uncertainty into the financial markets and surprised partners like the European Union, who had been hoping to reach a preliminary agreement with the United States.

"We may reach an agreement with Europe. You know, I am very indifferent to it," Trump said during an interview with The Voice of America, suggesting he views the letter sent to the EU as an agreement. In the interview, when asked what he thinks the outcome will be for Canada, the president stated, "It's too early to say now." Canada will impose a 35% tariff on certain goods in August. This "indifferent" attitude reflects Trump's tough stance in trade negotiations, as he seems more inclined to apply pressure through tariffs rather than lengthy negotiations.

Potential Impact on Global Trade Patterns

Trump's tariff threat will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the global trade landscape:

Trade tensions escalate: More than 150 countries will face potential tariff impacts, which could trigger a new round of trade retaliation, resulting in a shrinkage of global trade volumes.

Supply Chain Restructuring: In order to avoid tariffs, companies may accelerate the adjustment of their global supply chain layout, relocating production bases to countries not affected by tariffs, or seeking alternative suppliers.

Rising consumer costs: Tariffs may ultimately be passed on to consumers, leading to an increase in the prices of imported goods, which affects the purchasing power of the public.

Global economic growth slows: The rise of trade protectionism will suppress the momentum of global economic growth and increase the risk of economic recession.

Geopolitical Influence: Trade policies are often closely linked to geopolitical factors, and tariff measures may exacerbate tensions between countries, affecting international cooperation.

Trump's decision to impose tariffs on over 150 countries once again proves his unwavering "America First" trade policy. This potential trade war will bring tremendous uncertainty to the global economy. For Taiwan, as an economy highly dependent on exports, it must closely monitor the developments, prepare in advance to respond, assess potential impacts, and seek new trade opportunities. Governments and businesses around the world will face a severe test on how to maintain their interests and seek new development paths in the context of rising trade protectionism, which will be a key issue in the coming period.