Crucial exporters to the US such as Taiwan, the world’s most important semiconductor exporter, will incur steep new levies. Trump also raised tariffs on Canada, an ally and major trading partner, to 35 per cent. India was hit with a rate of 25 per cent and Switzerland with 39 per cent.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday that would have new tariffs on a wide swath of U.S. trading partners to go into effect in seven days — the next step in his trade agenda that will test the global economy and alliances.