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Donald Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Besent is pushing for the new global customs tariffs on US imports to start 2.5 percent and gradually rose, according to four people who are aware of the proposal.
People familiar with a tax of 2.5 percent of the same amount said each month.
Fees can be paid to up to 20 percent – in line with Trump’s maximum position on the campaign track last year. But the gradual introduction will be more moderate than the immediate procedure that some countries fear.
Two people are aware of the discussions that it is unclear whether Bessent has convinced the owners of other central interests, including Howard Lootnick, Trump’s choice of the Minister of Commerce, to adopt his proposal.
Customs tariff policy is already in the center of fierce commercial discussions between falcons such as Peter Navarro and Jameson Jarir, and moderates like Bessent. The Wall Street investor was comfortable as minister of the upcoming US Treasury Ministry of Senate voting from 68-29 pm on Monday.
Trump threatened to impose a customs tariff of 25 percent on imports from Canada and Mexico as soon as the end of this week, and in recent days, Colombia threatened 25 percent in a dispute over the deportees.
Another person said to Trump’s thinking that he was weighing different options. “There is no single plan that the president is ready to make a decision yet.”
A person familiar with BESSENT refused to comment on the record about the proposal, but he said: “He does not make any plans but if he is confirmed he is looking to be part of the conversation.”
While bessent and other supporters of the low primary tariff believe that they will give countries and companies time to adapt and negotiate, critics are inconsistent even though a higher rate is higher will send a clearer message.
Trump made a high tariff from the essence of the speech of “First America” last year, pledging in September to “taxes” on foreign countries “at levels that were not accustomed to.
But since its opening on January 20, the president’s main step was to publish a memorandum that defines investigations into American commercial policy, the cause of the country’s trade deficit and whether the competitors are manipulating currencies and imposing taxes on American companies unfairly.
When the correspondents were asked last week if he intended to provide a global tariff, Trump replied: “We are. But we are not ready for that.”
Analysts and commercial lawyers said that Trump can quickly impose global definitions using executive forces such as the International Economic Forces Law, which allows the president to respond to emergency situations through economic means.
However, trade experts also warned that IEPA’s use to issue a wide tariff is likely to face legal challenges by business groups.
Trump, who has long been stolen against the United States’ trade deficit, has suggested that the customs tariff would be a way to increase the country’s revenues.
He said in his opening speech: “Instead of imposing taxes on our citizens to enrich other countries, we will target and tax on foreign countries to enrich our citizens.”
In the Senate confirmation sessions in the United States last week, BESSENT said that the Trump administration will use the customs tariff to address unfair commercial practices, raise US government revenues, and wander deals with foreign countries.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Participated in additional reports from Miles McCromic in Washington
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2025-01-27 23:21:00
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