联合国贸易发展委员会-全球贸易更新（2025年4月）：关税升级——对小型和脆弱经济体的影响

Global tradeupdateplus Policy Insights Escalating tariffs: the impact onsmall and vulnerable economies In recent months, the UnitedStates has introducedtrade measures that havetransformed the current tradelandscape. This edition of theGlobal Trade Update providesa timeline of the trade policydecisions by the UnitedStates administration that areshaping this new landscapebased on current UnitedStates law. It also provides abrief analysis of the impact of“reciprocal tariffs” on smalland vulnerable economiesand Least DevelopedCountries. It finds that inmany cases, the reciprocaltariffs – paused for 90 days-disproportionately affectthese economies, withoutsignificantly reducing theUnited States trade deficit orcontributing to its additionaltariff revenue collection. Reciprocal tariffs - United Stateslegal basis In recent months the United States Executive has imposed import tariffs at or above 10 per centto imports from all over the world, justified by existing United States laws. Some of the legislationthat has served as a basis is the following: TheInternational Emergency Economic Powers Act(IEEPA) grants the Presidentbroad authority to regulate various economic transactions following a declaration of anational emergency. Under IEEPA, the United States Executive can implement tariffs inresponse to a national economic emergency, in accordance with United States tradelaw. Based on IEEPA, 10 per cent across-the-board tariffs are in place from 5 April 2025. Section 232of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 allows the President to impose tariffson imports deemed a threat to national security. Tariff levels are determined after aDepartment of Commerce investigation is completed. This provision has been used toimpose 25 per cent tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum into the United States. Section 301of the Trade Act of 1974 grants the Executive the authority to enforce tradeagreements, solve trade conflicts, and increase access to foreign markets for UnitedStates goods and services. It is the main legislation the United States uses to imposetrade sanctions on countries that “violate trade agreements or engage in unfair tradepractices.” Section 604of the Trade Act of 1974 enables the Executive to impose duties orrestrictions on imports. This section has been used to implement “reciprocal tariffs” ontrading partners. Timeline of implementation ofnew U.S. trade measures January 20, 2025:America First Trade Policy The United States administration issued its America First Trade Policy (AFTP) which prioritizesU.S.’ economic interests, national security, and industrial competitiveness by reducing its tradedeficits through higher imports tariffs. This policy carries costly implications for small and vulnerable economies and Least DevelopedCountries in terms of their participation in international trade, and access to the United Statesmarket. Following the AFTP, the United States Executive has introduced new tariffs across the board, aswell as on specific sectors. February 13, 2025:Fair and Reciprocal Plan The Presidential Memorandum on “Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs” introduced the “Fair andReciprocal Plan,” which seeks to determine the equivalent of a reciprocal tariff for each tradingpartner. The Plan outlined a country-specific approach to “reciprocal tariffs,” moving away fromthe Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff system under the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Memorandum called for a review of the “non-reciprocal trading relationships” with all UnitedStates trading partners. This review includes examining tariffs that United States products facein foreign markets, non-tariff barriers, such as subsidies and exchange rates, among others, andso-called “discriminatory taxes.” March 12, 2025:worldwide 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum The United States administration reinstated Section 232 tariffs on all steel imports and increasedthe aluminum tariff from 10 to 25 per cent, with no exceptions. Argentina, Australia, Brazil,Canada, Japan, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, the European Union, Ukraine, and the UnitedKingdom had previously received exemptions to the Section 232 tariff. Section 232 tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and aluminum will not be subject to additionalreciprocal tariffs launched on April 5, 2025. March 24, 2025:tariffs related to Venezuelan oil Under the IEEPA and the Section 301 of the United States Trade Act of 1974, the Executiveannounced a 25 per cent tariff on imports from countries that import Venezuelan oil. The UnitedStates may impose this 25 per cent tariff on all goods imported from any country that importsVenezuelan oil, either directly or indirectly. These duties will be in addition to any tariffs alreadyimposed under IEEPA, Section 232 of the Trade Expansion of 1962, Section 301 of the TradeAct of 1974, or any other relevant authority. April 2, 2025:announcement of reciprocal tariffs worldwide Under the IEEPA, the National Emergencies Act, Section 301 and Section