Trump Unleashes New Wave of Tariffs, Citing "Common Sense" and Deficits

 WASHINGTON D.C. – July 10, 2025 – President Donald Trump today defended his administration's latest round of extensive tariffs, stating the rates are calculated based on "common sense," trade deficits, historical treatment of the U.S., and "raw numbers." The new duties, set to take effect from August 1, target a growing list of nations, notably including Brazil, alongside specific commodities like copper.

The President confirmed that Brazil would face a significant 50% tariff on its imports, a move he controversially linked to the "witch hunt" trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and alleged censorship within the country. This justification has drawn strong condemnation from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has vowed reciprocal tariffs and dismissed Trump's claims of a trade deficit.

Beyond Brazil, the latest tariff letters also extend to nations such as the Philippines (20%), Iraq (30%), Algeria (30%), Libya (30%), Brunei (25%), Moldova (25%), and Sri Lanka (30%). These follow earlier notifications sent to over a dozen countries, including key U.S. allies like Japan and South Korea, underscoring a broad escalation of Trump's "reciprocal tariff" policy. A 50% tariff on copper imports, effective August 1, was also announced, driven by national security concerns and a push to boost domestic production of the vital metal.

While critics warn of potential disruptions to global supply chains and heightened diplomatic tensions, President Trump maintains that the tariffs are designed to correct what he views as decades of unfair trade practices and to incentivize foreign companies to establish manufacturing plants within the United States, thereby creating American jobs and revenue. He stated that the revenue generated, amounting to "hundreds of billions of dollars," is secondary to the goal of bringing production back home.