Business
February 23, 2026
Donald Trump’s latest round of tariffs was meant to reinforce America’s dominance. But the numbers were telling a different story. A blanket 15% tariff applied globally has ended up easing pressure on some of the country’s most frequent trade targets.
According to analysis by Global Trade Alert, Brazil’s average tariff exposure fell by 13.6% points, while China saw a 7.1 percentage point reduction under the revised regime. This reflects how a uniform tariff reduces the gap between countries that were heavily penalized before and those that were not.
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How Trump’s Tariffs Boost China and Brazil While Triggering EU Pushback
The China tariff impact is significant. China has faced aggressive tariffs during Trump’s earlier trade campaign, particularly on industrial and manufactured goods. With the introduction of a flat global tariff, China’s relative disadvantage has now narrowed. This makes its exports more competitive compared to those from U.S. allies. These regions now face similar tariff levels. US trade representative Jamieson Greer spoke about the latest development and said,
“We don’t have the same flexibility that IEEPA gave us” but “we’re going to conduct investigations that can allow us to impose tariffs if it’s justified by the investigation. So we expect to have continuity in the present tariff programme.”
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The same applies to another country. Brazil’s trade benefits stem from the reduction in its tariff disadvantages. Brazil has been under investigation and tariff pressure in recent years. But the latest global rate has levelled the field. Brazilian exporters, notably those in agriculture and raw materials, are likely to see improved access to the U.S. market compared to the previous tariff structure. But Brazil has been expanding trade partnerships across Asia and focusing on non-dollar settlements. This also adds to the de-dollarization agenda that has been surfacing.
At the same time, the policy has intensified the EU-US trade dispute. The EU has urged the US to clarify whether existing trade agreements will still be in place. European officials warned that unpredictable tariffs could bring down business confidence and long-term investment. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde spoke about the uncertainty and said.
“You want to know the rules of the road before you get in the car. It’s the same with trade.”
For now, the tariffs are set to remain in place for 150 days, leaving room for further changes. But it is quite clear that Trump’s tariffs are influencing more than short-term trade flows. They are influencing how countries are positioning themselves in global trade. While some are boosting ties outside the U.S., a few others are reducing exposure to sudden policy shifts.
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