Core Viewpoint - The core variable of U.S. trade policy remains Trump himself, with a highly controversial tariff strategy expected to be prevalent in the coming years, necessitating countries to become the "greatest common divisor" connecting different trade circles to gain future discourse power [2][23]. Group 1: Trump's Tariff System - Trump's tariff strategy has evolved from targeted "surgical strikes" during his first term to a more comprehensive approach in his second term, characterized by four main components: reciprocal tariffs, punitive tariffs for specific reasons, transshipment tariffs to combat tax avoidance, and industry barriers to protect domestic industries [4][8]. - The "reciprocal tariffs" framework establishes different tariff boundaries for countries, with core countries like the UK and Australia enjoying a baseline tax rate of 10%, while others face rates ranging from 15% to over 25% [5][6]. Group 2: Punitive Tariffs - Punitive tariffs are increasingly used as a core tool for handling diplomatic matters, with various justifications, including combating cross-border crime and exerting geopolitical pressure [8][9]. - The U.S. has raised tariffs on Canadian goods from 25% to 35% due to insufficient cooperation in drug trafficking control, while also imposing additional tariffs on Indian goods due to its purchase of Russian oil [8][9]. Group 3: Transshipment Tariffs - The U.S. has implemented transshipment tariffs to prevent circumvention of tariffs through third countries, imposing a 40% tax rate on goods attempting to bypass tariffs [10][12]. - The challenge lies in the ambiguous definition of "transshipment," which complicates enforcement and necessitates a collaborative regulatory framework with partner countries [12][13]. Group 4: Industry Tariffs - The U.S. has invoked the 232 clause of the Trade Expansion Act to impose high tariffs on strategic industries, aiming to reverse the trend of industrial hollowing and promote domestic manufacturing [16][17]. - Tariffs on steel and aluminum products have been set at 50%, with potential future tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals reaching as high as 300% [17][19]. Group 5: Trade Negotiation Dynamics - Tariffs serve as a preliminary tool in trade negotiations, with the Trump administration relying heavily on verbal agreements, leading to disputes over the interpretation of key terms [20][21]. - The lack of written agreements has resulted in confusion and disagreements in negotiations with countries like Japan and South Korea, affecting the finalization of trade deals [20][21]. Group 6: Economic Impact - The U.S. has entered a high-tariff era, with the average effective tariff rate rising to 18.6%, the highest level since the Great Depression [23]. - The implementation of tariffs has caused fluctuations in import data, with a significant spike in imports prior to tariff enforcement, followed by a decline as companies adjust to the new cost structure [25][28].

Core Viewpoint - The core variable of US trade policy remains Trump himself, and his controversial tariff strategy is expected to be prevalent in the next two to three years, with any country aiming to gain future discourse power needing to become the "greatest common divisor" connecting different trade circles [2][23]. Group 1: Trump's Tariff System 2.0 - During his first term, Trump initiated a trade revolution centered on "America First," using tariffs as a primary weapon, which ignited global trade disputes and altered the existing international trade landscape [4][5]. - In his second term, Trump's tariff tactics evolved into a more structured and comprehensive approach, consisting of four main components: reciprocal tariffs for trade balance, punitive tariffs for specific reasons, tariffs on transshipment to combat tax avoidance, and industry barriers to protect domestic industries [5][6]. Group 2: Reciprocal Tariffs - The "reciprocal tariffs" create a trade circle centered around the US, with countries like the UK and Australia enjoying a baseline tax rate of 10%, while others face higher rates based on their trade relations and concessions made to the US [6][7]. - As of August 29, 2023, new regulations require small packages valued at $800 or less to pay certain taxes upon entry, with specific rates based on the country of origin [7]. Group 3: Punitive Tariffs - Trump increasingly uses punitive tariffs as a core tool for handling diplomatic matters, with various justifications, including combating cross-border crime and exerting geopolitical pressure [9][10]. - The US has implemented significant tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, and additional tariffs on Chinese products, with the potential for further increases based on cooperation in drug trafficking issues [9][10]. Group 4: Transshipment Tariffs - To close potential loopholes in tariff policies, the Trump administration established a "transshipment" clause allowing customs to impose a 40% tariff on goods attempting to circumvent tariffs through third countries [11]. - The challenge lies in the ambiguous definition of "transshipment," which complicates enforcement and creates uncertainty for US customs [12][13]. Group 5: Industry Tariffs - The US has invoked the 1962 Trade Expansion Act's Section 232 to impose high tariffs on strategically important industries, aiming to reverse the trend of industrial hollowing and enhance domestic supply chain resilience [16][17]. - Tariffs have been applied to steel, aluminum, and are expected to extend to semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, with a notable exemption for companies investing in the US [16][17][18]. Group 6: Oral Agreements and Execution Discrepancies - Tariffs serve as a preliminary tool in trade negotiations, with the Trump administration relying heavily on oral agreements, leading to confusion and disputes over key terms [20][21]. - Discrepancies in the interpretation of agreements have hindered finalizing trade deals, as seen in negotiations with Japan and South Korea [20][21][22]. Group 7: Transition to Inventory Reduction Cycle - Following the implementation of high tariffs, the US has entered a phase of inventory reduction, with significant declines in inventory growth rates for durable and non-durable goods [28][29]. - The shift in import demand is attributed to the finalization of tariff policies and the completion of pre-tariff procurement, leading to a focus on inventory digestion and price adjustments [29][30]. Group 8: Global Trade Landscape Transformation - The global trade structure is undergoing a profound transformation towards a multipolar development, moving away from reliance on the US-China economic model to a more decentralized network of regional trade alliances [23][30]. - Countries aiming to secure future discourse power must position themselves as essential hubs within these diverse trade networks [23].

Group 1: Tariff Strategy - Tariffs are a key tool in Trump's economic policy, evolving from targeted strikes to a comprehensive strategy in his second term[2] - The tariff strategy consists of four main components: reciprocal tariffs, punitive tariffs, transshipment tariffs, and industry protection barriers[6] - The average effective tariff rate in the U.S. has increased by 16.2 percentage points, reaching 18.6%, the highest level since the Great Depression[29] Group 2: Trade Relations and Impact - The U.S. is transitioning to a more decentralized trade structure, moving away from reliance on the U.S.-China economic relationship[3] - The imposition of tariffs has led to a significant increase in import costs, with specific tariffs reaching as high as 50% on steel and aluminum products[21] - The U.S. government is using tariffs as a diplomatic tool, with punitive tariffs being applied to countries like Canada and Mexico, and targeting third-party nations involved in trade with adversaries[11] Group 3: Economic Consequences - Pre-tariff import surges led to a 4.67% month-on-month increase in imports in March, followed by a 1.39% year-on-year decline in June, indicating a demand pullback[29] - U.S. businesses are entering a de-inventory phase, with durable goods inventory growth slowing from 1.52% in March to 0.17% in June[29] - The uncertainty surrounding new tariff tools and potential trade negotiations post-midterm elections poses risks to global supply chains and capital markets[4]

Group 1: Tariff Implementation - The Trump administration's tariff policy includes three types of tariffs: national tariffs, industry-specific tariffs, and tariffs to close loopholes in transshipment [5][7] - Four categories of countries are identified based on their trade relations with the US, with tariffs ranging from 10% to over 30% [7][8] - The new tariff system emphasizes additional conditions, such as commitments to invest in the US and open markets [8][9] Group 2: Impact on China and Industries - The implementation of reciprocal tariffs will lead to a decrease in US imports, which may cause a decline in China's export levels in the second half of the year [3][11] - If China manages to limit the cumulative tariff to 10%, its actual import share may rebound, while transshipment tariffs will lead to increased production capacity overseas [3][11] - Industries such as home appliances, light manufacturing, and power equipment are expected to benefit from the tariff changes [3][19] Group 3: Tariff Cost Burden - The effective import tariff rate in the US has reached its highest level since 1934, but the import price index has not shown a significant decline [32][35] - Exporters currently bear about 13% of the tariff costs, with US importers and consumers absorbing the majority [35][41] - The burden on consumers is expected to rise, with projections indicating that up to two-thirds of the tariff costs may eventually be passed on to them [51][53] Group 4: Federal Reserve and Inflation - The impact of tariffs on consumer prices is expected to be limited, with an estimated increase in inflation of only 0.4-0.8 percentage points by the end of the year [62][64] - The focus should shift from inflation concerns to potential job market deterioration, which may lead to unexpected interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [64]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the postponement of reciprocal tariffs by Trump as a strategic move, highlighting the limited trade agreements with certain economies and the inability to bear the costs of comprehensive tariff increases [1][3]. Tariff Adjustments - The new tariff standards announced by Trump show significant increases for certain countries, with Mexico and Canada facing over 30% increases, Brazil's tariffs rising from 10% to 50%, and the EU's tariffs increasing from 20% to 30% [1][3]. - The average U.S. import tariff has risen by 5.6 percentage points to 28.9% since the initial version in April, with the most significant increases for Brazil, Canada, and Mexico [3][4]. Impact on Exports - The overall increase in U.S. import tariffs may shrink the total import "pie," potentially affecting China's export share, while higher tariffs from other countries could allow China to regain market share [4][10]. - Household appliances, light manufacturing, and electrical equipment are expected to benefit the most from the tariff changes, with a potential final tariff increase of only 10% for China [7][9]. Export Performance - China's export growth rate in June was recorded at 5.8%, a 1 percentage point increase from May, indicating strong export resilience [10][11]. - The increase in exports is attributed to the easing of U.S.-China trade tensions, leading to a significant rebound in exports to the U.S. [10][11]. Trade Surplus - China's trade surplus expanded to $114.77 billion in June, continuing to grow, with future attention on the potential impacts of the second round of reciprocal tariffs [24].