The European Union is reportedly considering a pause on approving any trade deals with the United States, a move that signals growing frustration with what’s being described as “tariff chaos” emanating from the Trump administration. It seems many global partners are effectively telling the US to take a break, perhaps three years, before engaging in serious negotiations. This sentiment suggests a deep-seated unease about the predictability and stability of US trade policy under the current leadership.
The core of the issue appears to be the perceived unreliability of engaging with an administration that seems to shift its negotiating stance and trade rules on a whim.… Continue reading
It appears that India has decided to put the brakes on planned trade talks with the United States. This comes on the heels of a significant Supreme Court ruling in the U.S. that effectively threw out previously implemented tariffs. This development paints a rather uncertain picture for international trade negotiations, especially those involving the U.S. at this particular moment.
One can easily understand India’s position here. The idea of entering into serious trade discussions when the global tariff landscape is in such flux doesn’t seem particularly productive. The notion of a 15 percent global tariff rate, for instance, would logically make anyone pause and reconsider the immediate benefits of striking a deal right now.… Continue reading
As a result of US government customs policy, German-American trade relations significantly weakened in 2025, with German exports to the US falling by 9.4%. However, overall exports saw a surprising 1% increase due to bolstered orders from within the European Union, particularly for industrial goods. This shift led to China re-emerging as Germany’s largest trading partner, surpassing the United States, while the German government eyes a 1% growth in 2026 driven by public spending.
Read More
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed strong disappointment with the European Union’s newly-negotiated trade agreement with India, particularly given the ongoing war in Ukraine. Bessent criticized the EU for prioritizing trade interests over the war, highlighting that Europe has been buying refined Russian products after India began buying sanctioned Russian oil, indirectly funding the conflict. The US had imposed tariffs on India for buying Russian oil but the EU did not join these efforts, which Bessent claimed was due to the trade deal. This agreement, which India officials have called “the mother of all deals”, is expected to boost India’s exports and comes amidst global trade tensions.
Read More
President Trump has announced the US will increase tariffs on South Korean imports to 25%, citing South Korea’s slow approval of a trade deal reached last year. The South Korean government has stated it was not officially notified of the decision and is seeking urgent talks with the US to address the issue. The initial trade agreement included a $350 billion investment from South Korea into the US. Trump has previously used tariffs as a foreign policy tool, most recently threatening Canada and the UK with tariffs in unrelated trade disputes.
Read More
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has publicly stated that India is among the countries the US aims to rectify within its trade agenda, urging them to adjust their trade practices for better access to the American market. He cited high US trade levies on Indian goods and stated that these nations must “react correctly” to the US by opening markets and ceasing actions deemed harmful. Lutnick has set specific conditions, including discontinuing purchases of Russian oil and withdrawing from BRICS, or face consequences. Trade negotiations between India and the US have resumed, but the US is looking for major changes in India’s trade and geopolitical approach.
Read More
Former President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on most US imports from India, following through on threats related to India’s purchases of discounted Russian oil. This action, which adds to existing 25% tariffs, risks damaging the Indian economy and disrupting global supply chains. In response, India’s government has refused to halt oil purchases and has encouraged citizens to buy domestic goods, potentially leading to closer ties with Russia and China. Economists predict this will reduce India’s GDP. The US has not taken similar action against China, a major purchaser of Russian oil, nor has it taken similar actions against other countries.
Read More
India and the US are in the final stages of bilateral trade negotiations, facing significant hurdles in sectors like dairy, agriculture, digital, and medical services. The US is pushing for increased market access, while India seeks a more balanced agreement protecting domestic interests, leading to disagreements over tariff reductions and sanitary standards. Negotiations, currently virtual, aim to reach a deal before the July 8th deadline to avoid reinstated tariffs. Despite challenges, Indian officials remain optimistic about achieving a mutually beneficial agreement.
Read More
China will eliminate tariffs on all imports from 53 African nations, excluding eSwatini, expanding upon a previous policy granting zero-tariff treatment to 33 least-developed African countries. This initiative, announced at a Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting, provides duty-free access to the vast Chinese market for a significantly larger number of African nations, primarily from the middle-income bracket. The move comes amid accusations by China and African representatives that the United States is destabilizing global trade. The expansion aims to further facilitate African exports to China, bolstering economic ties between the two regions.
Read More
President Trump doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%, citing insufficient domestic production and national security concerns. This action, building upon a previous executive order, significantly impacts Ukraine, whose metallurgical exports constitute a large portion of its U.S. trade. While the White House claims the tariffs will bolster domestic industries, Ukraine’s economy, already strained by war, faces further jeopardy. The U.K. is exempt from the increased tariffs, remaining at 25%. Trump justified the increase as a simplification of metal import duties and alluded to potential retaliatory measures.
Read More
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker