特朗普开辟关税新战线：用“国家安全”大棒打向全球

Core Points - The Trump administration is advancing another round of tariffs, which trade experts believe have stronger legal grounds than previous tariffs imposed on various countries [1] - The U.S. Department of Commerce is expected to announce results of investigations into industries deemed critical to national security, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and key minerals, likely leading to tariffs on foreign-made products in these sectors [1][2] - The current 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum are impacting nearly $200 billion worth of goods, which is almost four times the amount during Trump's first term [1] - The expansion of tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act is seen as a potential move towards near-global tariffs, affecting a wide range of imported goods [2] Industry Impact - The anticipated tariffs on pharmaceuticals are expected to encourage companies to relocate production back to the U.S. [2] - The scope of the Section 232 tariffs has broadened to include consumer goods such as dishwashers and washing machines, which are now classified as critical to national security [2] - Ongoing investigations under Section 232 are injecting uncertainty into trade negotiations, as countries are wary of committing to agreements while these investigations are pending [5] Economic Implications - The current approach to tariffs may lead to increased inflation risks, as the range of products affected has expanded significantly compared to previous tariffs focused on upstream metals [6] - The Producer Price Index (PPI) for manufactured steel cans and tin products has already risen by 8.7% this year, indicating potential inflationary pressures from the new tariffs [6] - The potential outcomes of the expanded tariffs could include reduced product variety, inflation, or disrupted demand due to reliance on imported raw materials [6]