US Government Releases Tariff Implementation Guidelines; US Media: Tariffs Continue to Bring Uncertainty

　　Beijing, August 5 (Reporter Zhang Naiyue) On August 4 local time, US Customs and Border Protection issued guidelines outlining how it will implement the tariff policy announced by President Trump last week. Under these policies, the US is expected to impose additional tariffs on dozens of trading partners.

　　The guidelines indicate that the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" expanded by Trump last week will not apply to products shipped to the US before 12:01 a.m. New York time on the 7th. The document also lists some products that may qualify for exemptions, such as those covered by the US-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement reached during Trump’s first term, as well as food, clothing, and medicine distributed as aid supplies.

　　Bloomberg Economics research shows that if the new tariffs are implemented at previously announced levels, the US average tariff rate will rise to 15.2%. This figure is higher than the previous 13.3% and far exceeds the 2.3% in 2024 before Trump took office.

　　The US government’s so-called "reciprocal tariffs" are considered central to its plans to reduce the trade deficit and bring manufacturing back to the US. Currently, some countries, including Switzerland, are attempting to reach tariff-reduction agreements with the US before the deadline on the 7th. Additionally, Trump is expected to announce plans in the coming weeks to impose tariffs on pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, critical minerals, and other key industrial products, meaning businesses and investors will face ongoing uncertainty.

　　US media argue that the long-term economic impact of the tariffs remains unclear, with critics pointing out that the tariffs will increase costs for US consumers and businesses and exacerbate inflation.