Which goods are affected by Trump’s tariffs?

Some taxes announced by Trump are on particular products, wherever they are made.

These include:

100% tariff on branded or patented drugs (unless a company is building a factory in the US)
50% tariff on steel and aluminium imports (except for those from the UK)
50% tariff on copper imports
50% tariff on kitchen and bathroom cabinets and some furniture
25% tariff on most foreign-made cars, engines and other car parts
25% tariff on all heavy-duty trucks

The US is the biggest importer of steel in the world after the EU, with most coming from Canada, Brazil, Mexico and South Korea

In addition, Trump ended an exemption for imports valued at $800 (£592) or less. It means low-cost goods are no longer duty-free – a move affecting millions of packages sent every day, including those from online retailers like Shein and Temu.The companies shipping the parcels now have to pay duties based on the tariff rate which applies to the country the goods were sent from. Otherwise, for six months, they can choose to pay a fixed fee of between $80 and $200 per package.

Why is Trump using tariffs?
Trump says tariffs will increase the amount of tax raised by the government, encourage consumers to buy more American-made goods and boost investment in the US. He wants to reduce the US trade deficit – the gap between the value of goods it buys from other countries and those it sells to them.The president argues that the US has been exploited by “cheaters” and “pillaged” by foreigners.

Trump has also used the taxes to make other demands. For example, when announcing tariffs against China, Mexico and Canada, he said the countries must do more to stop migrants and the illegal drug fentanyl reaching the US. Many tariffs have been amended or delayed after being announced.

Why is the Supreme Court considering the legality of Trump’s tariffs?
Trump’s tariffs have faced numerous legal challenges because of the way they were introduced.Instead of getting Congressional approval for the tariffs, the Trump administration used the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Declaring an emergency under the law meant Trump could issue immediate orders and bypass the established process.

In August, a US appeals court ruled that most of Trump’s tariffs were illegal, but left them in place. The White House asked the US Supreme Court to overturn that decision, and it began hearing arguments in the case on 5 November. A final outcome is not expected for several months.