U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose \"reciprocal tariffs\" on trading partners, described by experts as an \"obsession,\" may backfire and harm the American economy. The tariffs, which vary by country and region, include a 34% rate on the Chinese mainland, 20% on the European Union, and up to 49% on Cambodia, highlighting a sweeping policy critics call outdated.
A chart presented by Trump details differential rates, with Vietnam (46%), Japan (24%), and the Republic of Korea (25%) among those affected. Analysts argue the measures will raise U.S. domestic prices, strain households, and disrupt supply chains.
\"Trump's belief in protectionist tariffs from over a century ago is outdated and impractical,\" said Cui Fan, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics, who warned the move could \"shoot [the U.S.] in the foot\" by escalating costs for businesses and consumers.
The policy arrives amid global scrutiny of trade strategies, with Asia-Pacific economies facing heightened uncertainty as U.S. trade relations shift.
