Trump’s earlier across-the-board 10 per cent tariffs on all imports from many countries began last Saturday.
The latest round of duties, which took effect at 12.01am Eastern Time (4.01am GMT), are aimed at countries that are “ripping off” the US, according to Trump.
That list includes many of the United States’ closest allies, including the European Union, which was hit with a 20 per cent tariff as well as industry-specific duties. The 27-member bloc will vote on initial countermeasures later on Wednesday.
Trump has said the tariffs are a response to barriers put on US goods that have stymied American businesses. He has also accused countries including Japan of devaluing their currencies to gain a trade advantage, something Tokyo denies.
Japan’s finance minister on Wednesday said trade negotiations with Washington could include foreign exchange rates.
Trump has signalled he may not be finished with tariffs.
In remarks to Republican lawmakers on Tuesday evening, he said he would soon announce “major” tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, one of a handful of categories of goods that have been exempted from the new taxes.
