US starts collecting Trump's new 10% tariff, smashing global trade norms

Trump tariffs come into effect in ‘seismic’ shift to global trade ‘Baseline’ 10% import levy takes effect at US seaports, airports and customs warehouses on Saturday, with some higher tariffs to begin next week

Ships are loaded with containers at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

US customs agents began collecting President Donald Trump’s unilateral 10% tariff on all imports from many countries on Saturday, with higher levies on goods from 57 larger trading partners due to start next week.

The initial 10% “baseline” tariff took effect at US seaports, airports and customs warehouses at 12.01am ET (4.01am Irish time), ushering in Trump’s full rejection of the post-second world war system of mutually agreed tariff rates.