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New normal: Trump committed to a 10% tariff baseline for all nations
Washington Times ^ | May 9, 2025 | Tom Howell Jr.

Posted on 05/09/2025 9:22:51 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

The White House says President Trump is “determined” to maintain at least a 10% tariff on all imports, meaning all nations should expect a baseline tax on their goods even if they negotiate trade pacts with the U.S.

Dozens of trading partners are scrambling to negotiate down sky-high levies that Mr. Trump imposed, then paused, in early April. It’s a fluid process, but this much should be clear: Mr. Trump will only go so low.

“The president is determined to continue with that 10% baseline tariff. I just spoke to him about it earlier,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday.

Mr. Trump imposed a blanket tariff of 10% on all imports as part of a “Liberation Day” plan at the heart of the White House trade agenda. It was a major change in U.S. trade policy, yet one overshadowed by his threat to slap much higher “reciprocal” tariffs on major trading partners, including 46% on Vietnam and 26% on India.

“A blanket 10% tariff is a major upheaval. In 2024, the average tariff in the United States was about 2.5%, so this is now four times larger,” said Clark Packard, a research fellow on trade at the libertarian Cato Institute.

Tariffs are a tax or duty paid by importers on the goods they bring in from foreign markets.

Foreign countries don’t pay the tariffs directly to the U.S. Treasury. In many cases, U.S. companies will pay the levies, and they might pass on at least some of the cost to consumers through higher prices.

The impact of the blanket 10% tariff on goods isn’t clear just yet – many retailers tried to frontload shipments this year to get ahead of the levies. 

But it’s here to stay, and some trade experts say it is a big deal – and a big...

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: 2026wipeout; losing; tariffsaretaxes; trumpflation

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1 posted on 05/09/2025 9:22:51 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I’m more in favor of a 10% money export tax.

A tax on remittances would help fund the due process Chief Justice Roberts craves.


2 posted on 05/09/2025 9:28:57 PM PDT by Brian Griffin
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Trump committed to a 10% tariff baseline for all nations

I Believe this is a Good Idea, all Nations should have to Pay America 10% in Tribute for the privilege of being allowed to Trade.

3 posted on 05/09/2025 9:40:58 PM PDT by Navy Patriot (President Trump Decisively Won Popular & E.C., Celebrate Recivilization!)
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To: Navy Patriot

Is that enough to get rid of the income tax?


4 posted on 05/09/2025 10:02:22 PM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
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To: DIRTYSECRET

I hope 10% is enough to pay our taxes. Especially since DOGE is stamping out the fraud.


5 posted on 05/09/2025 10:06:01 PM PDT by Coffee_drinker (Drain The Swamp.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Instead of tariffs, how about we get serious about invasive plants, pathogens, and insects? Adequate inspections would make local production more advantageous.


6 posted on 05/09/2025 11:21:59 PM PDT by Carry_Okie (The tree of liberty needs a rope.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
And CANCEL the Income TAX!

Yeah BABEEE! I'm On Board with that!

7 posted on 05/10/2025 12:45:42 AM PDT by agincourt1415 (Trump! )
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To: Navy Patriot

We pay Vietnam over 90%... Nothing wrong with wanting fair trades.


8 posted on 05/10/2025 1:02:18 AM PDT by GOPJ (Judicial robes aren't invisibility cloaks that allows judges to engage in criminal acts. J Turley)
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To: Carry_Okie

Instead of tariffs, how about we get serious about invasive plants, pathogens, and insects? Adequate inspections would make local production more advantageous.
****

Instead? Why not both?


9 posted on 05/10/2025 4:33:22 AM PDT by yldstrk (Nothing like the truth)
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To: DIRTYSECRET

“Is that enough to get rid of the income tax?”

With the downsizing of our government, maybe?


10 posted on 05/10/2025 5:29:09 AM PDT by Parley Baer
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To: DIRTYSECRET
Is that enough to get rid of the income tax?

10% on trade paid to the US Government by the entire World, ... Yep, pretty sure the US could get rid of Income Tax and the IRS.

11 posted on 05/10/2025 12:15:30 PM PDT by Navy Patriot (President Trump Decisively Won Popular & E.C., Celebrate Recivilization!)
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To: GOPJ

Agree.


12 posted on 05/10/2025 12:16:47 PM PDT by Navy Patriot (President Trump Decisively Won Popular & E.C., Celebrate Recivilization!)
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To: DIRTYSECRET

Not even close.

Total Imports. Look it up. Calculate 10%.

Just individual income tax brings in $2.5-3.0 trillion.


13 posted on 05/10/2025 12:27:29 PM PDT by jjotto ( Blessed are You LORD, who crushes enemies and subdues the wicked.)
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To: jjotto

Ok. So tariffs paid our taxes when the government was small and everyone farmed.
Could we go back to it. Just issue an order: every house will have a firearm like in the old days. No need for cops or lawyers & judges.


14 posted on 05/10/2025 4:45:59 PM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
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