U.K., Australia and Others Worse Off Under Trump’s New Tariffs

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by Eshe Nelson and Aaron Krolik

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

President Trump’s decision to impose new 15% tariffs on key U.S. trading partners, following a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated earlier tariffs, has left countries like Britain and Australia in a challenging position. The move disrupts years of economic cooperation and trade deals, raising concerns about the future of global trade relations. While some nations, such as Brazil, China, and India, may benefit from the new tariff structure, others—including Japan, South Korea, and major European Union members—are facing increased costs on their exports to the U.S. The legal setback led the Trump administration to temporarily impose 10% tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act. However, the rate was quickly raised to 15%, the maximum allowed by law. This shift has significantly impacted countries that had previously secured favorable trade agreements with the U.S., including Britain, which had a deal agreed upon in May during Trump’s second term. Under this agreement, Britain had secured a 10% tariff rate and lower sectoral tariffs for certain exports, such as cars and plane parts, in exchange for allowing higher imports of American beef and ethanol. The announcement has left British officials uncertain about their "special relationship" with the U.S. Bridget Phillipson, the UK’s education secretary, expressed hope that the preferential deal would continue but acknowledged ongoing discussions. Meanwhile, other major trading partners are grappling with the broader implications of these changes. According to Global Trade Alert, Britain is among the biggest losers in terms of increased tariffs, while countries like Brazil and India stand to benefit the most. This development highlights the unpredictable nature of global trade under Trump’s administration. The new tariffs not only disrupt established trade deals but also raise questions about the stability of international economic cooperation. For readers interested in news and global trade dynamics, this story underscores the ongoing shifts in U.S. trade policy and its far-reaching impacts on key allies and partners.

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/23/2026