US President Donald Trump announced universal 10 per cent tariffs on all imports into the US will go into effect this weekend in a watershed moment for global trade
The US leader has targeted roughly 100 countries as part of his vision to rebuild the US economy by restricting free trade.
Sixty countries that have been described as the "worst offenders" have been hit with levies up to almost five times as high.
David Smith is an associate professor of American Politics and Foreign Policy at the United States Studies Centre. He spoke with ABC NewsRadio's Tamara Wearne.