The current changes in international tariffs show the following main trends and dynamics:

1. Trade frictions between major economies continue

China-US tariffs: The United States maintains additional tariffs on about $370 billion worth of Chinese goods (the trade war continues in 2018), but some categories (such as solar panels) are exempted from tariffs; China's counter-tariffs on US agricultural products, automobiles, etc. remain.

European and American steel and aluminum disputes: The EU's countermeasures against US steel and aluminum tariffs continue, and the two sides are negotiating "green steel and aluminum" alternatives to ease conflicts.

2. Regional tariff adjustments are accelerating

Regional trade agreements take effect: RCEP (Asia-Pacific), African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other countries reduce tariffs between member countries and promote the reconstruction of regional supply chains.

European and American "friendly shore outsourcing": The United States passed the "Inflation Reduction Act" to subsidize local new energy industries, which in disguise raises the competitive threshold for imported products; the EU promotes the carbon border tax (CBAM), and will impose taxes on imported high-carbon products from 2026.

3. Increased protective tariffs in developing countries

India: Increase import tariffs on electronic products (such as mobile phones, computers) and textiles to support local manufacturing.

Brazil: 10-20% import tax on more than 300 commodities such as steel and chemicals to cope with the decline in industrial competitiveness.

4. Tariff changes related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict

The EU imposed an embargo or high tariffs on Russian coal, steel and other commodities; Russia imposed a 35% import tariff on commodities from "unfriendly countries".

Many countries temporarily lowered tariffs on food and energy imports to ease inflationary pressure (such as Indonesia's suspension of palm oil export tax).

Key impacts

Rising corporate costs: Global supply chains face multiple tariff barriers, and cross-border trade compliance becomes more complex.

Strengthening regionalized production: Companies tend to set up factories within the customs union (such as Tesla's factory in Mexico to supply the North American market).

Pressure on WTO reform: Unilateral tariff measures surge, and the binding force of multilateral trade rules continues to weaken.