New U.S. tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% on imports from dozens of countries came into force at midnight, as the Trump administration pushes ahead with its strategy to reduce the nation’s trade deficit, despite concerns from economists and importers.
Among the 90 countries affected, the Western Balkans are now subject to tariffs between 10% and 35%, as part of a sweeping executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump targeting nations without bilateral trade agreements with the United States.
“Midnight!!! Billions of dollars in tariffs are now pouring into the United States,” Trump wrote on social media shortly before the tariffs took effect in Washington, signaling the beginning of a major policy shift.
North Macedonia will face a 15% tariff on goods exported to the U.S., a sharp drop from the initially proposed 33%. Serbia will be hit with the highest rate in the region at 35%, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina at 30%, while Kosovo and Montenegro will each face a 10% tariff.
Even Croatia, an EU member state, will be subject to a 15% tariff on its exports to the U.S., despite its alignment with Brussels.
Eight of America’s top trading partners — including the European Union, Japan, and South Korea — secured framework agreements with Washington, limiting their base tariff rate to 15%. The United Kingdom agreed to a 10% rate, while Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines will face tariffs between 19% and 20%.
Brazil and India were dealt some of the steepest rates globally, with 50% tariffs to be imposed on most goods. India’s tariffs will take effect on August 27.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has agreed to delay new tariffs on China until August 12 as negotiations between Washington and Beijing continue. Mexico was granted a 90-day delay under its existing trade agreement with the U.S., though it still faces the threat of a 35% increase. Canada, also part of the USMCA agreement, has already been hit with a 35% tariff since last Friday, though many goods are exempt.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began enforcing the new tariffs at 12:01 a.m. ET on August 6, following weeks of uncertainty over the final rates. Countries rushed to negotiate last-minute exemptions or reductions, while importers accelerated shipments to beat the deadline.
Goods already in transit before midnight will be allowed to enter the U.S. under previous rates until October 5, according to CBP.
Imports from many affected countries had been temporarily subject to a base rate of 10% after Trump paused a set of higher tariffs originally announced in early April. Since then, the administration has repeatedly revised its approach, applying steeper duties selectively.
President Trump has promoted tariffs as a tool to narrow the trade deficit and protect American industries. However, critics argue the move could raise prices for consumers and strain relations with key partners.
According to data reported by the Associated Press, U.S. importers ramped up purchases ahead of the tariff hike, leading to a ballooning trade imbalance. The trade deficit for the first half of 2025 reached $582.7 billion — a 38% increase over the same period in 2024.
Construction costs fell by 2.9% over the past year, while Trump’s promises to bring back manufacturing jobs have yet to materialize, with the sector continuing to report job losses.