1. Trump Imposed Sweeping Tariffs Across 180+ Countries
On April 2, 2025, the White House released a statement. US President Donald J. Trump has ordered responsive tariffs in order to “strengthen the international economic position of the United States and protect American workers.” The full tariff list will follow later in this blog, but what exactly do these new reciprocal tariffs mean for the average US-based Amazon seller?
Before we answer that question, we need to provide background information on why Trump has raised the tariffs:
- The U.S. has a massive, ongoing trade deficit ($122.7 billion in February 2025, down $130.7 billion in January, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis)
- This deficit has weakened U.S. manufacturing, made supply chains fragile, and even affected national defense.
- Many foreign countries impose high tariffs and trade barriers on U.S. goods—while the U.S. has low or no tariffs on theirs.
- Trump says this is unfair and hurts American workers and small towns.
All imports from other countries will receive a baseline tariff of 10 % starting April 5, 2025, but countries with the biggest trade deficits with the US will be hit with reciprocal tariffs starting April 9, 2025. President Trump said that this is “not full retaliation;” the goal is to be fair, not vengeful. For instance, Nicaragua charges the US 36%; the US now charges them 18%. These tariffs are meant to bring factories back home, rebuild defense-related industries, and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers – something that will affect Amazon sellers in a big way.
Trump’s team believes that a 10% global tariff could grow the US economy by US$728bn, create 2.8 million jobs, and boost household incomes by 5.7%.
Tariffs will be levied on the goods coming in from 180 countries around the world – and prime manufacturing hubs like China, Vietnam, and India will be affected. So, let’s answer our earlier question. What does this mean for the average US-based Amazon seller sourcing from abroad? It means you’ll pay more to import, because your landed costs will increase. Either you raise retail prices, which may make you less competitive on Amazon, or you eat the cost, saying goodbye to a large chunk of your profit margin.
What to do? Either you find new US-based suppliers, which isn’t fast or easy, or you expand to markets that don’t punish you for sourcing from Asia.
These new tariffs will impact your pricing strategy. Make sure you revisit our blog on how to price a product for Amazon so you can stay ahead of setbacks to your bottom line.
2. Tariff List of Countries Plus a Short History Lesson
Below is a full list of Trump’s reciprocal tariffs by country. President Donald Trump has imposed these tariffs as part of his economic vision; he’s a long-time critic of international free trade agreements, according to BBC. He believes these tariffs will encourage Americans to buy more American-made goods, thereby boosting the country’s economy and increasing the amount of taxes made.
Canada and Mexico are not included in this list; they were part of announcements Trump previously made at the start of his term. He first introduced a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, which later doubled to 20%, and now stands at 34%. Mexico and Canada faced 25% tariffs with an additional 10% on Canadian energy imports, although these have been delayed and amended.
Economists are worried about Trump’s new trade policy. They’ve warned US president Donald Trump that the US consumer will end up absorbing the extra fees on imported goods, as firms pass on part or all of their increased costs to the US consumer. Furthermore, the price of US goods that use imported parts will also rise.
What do Americans think about the tariff on imports? According to Investopedia last November, 45% of polled voters believe that consumers will pay the majority of the cost of the tariffs, as opposed to 17% that thought foreign exporters absorbed the cost. Nevertheless, 46% said that a 10 per cent tariff on all foreign products would benefit the US economy, compared to the 33% that said it would be bad.
This isn’t the first time that the US imposed on tariffs on countries. CNBC remembers the Smooth-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which triggered a global trade war, collapsed US exports, and deepened the Great Depression. Historically, tariffs were used to protect certain industries, but the Trump tariffs list seems to target allies over broader issues. Global partners have pushed back with threats of retaliatory tariffs, and economic analysts are concerned that the economic fallout could be severe: a projected US$1.1 trillion in added costs to American taxpayers over the next decade, along with reduced US economic output. Will this trigger another full-scale trade war like in the 1930s? It all depends on how trade partners react. Nevertheless, the Trump administration believes that without fair tariff policies, it becomes nearly impossible for the US to engage in meaningful trade with these countries and still maintain a level playing field for American businesses.
As Jana points out, “We’ll see how long these last. It’s all very volatile.” For example, you could move your manufacturing to Turkey, which has a 10% reciprocal tax, only for that to change in the near future. It could get higher, it could get lower (which is probably not going to happen). Bottom line, it’s an unsure time for US-based Amazon sellers that are sourcing goods from abroad. As existing tariffs increase, so too will your retail price.
Here’s the full list of countries, their share of US imports, and the reciprocal tariffs they will face:
| Country | Share of US imports | Tariff |
| EU | 18.5% | 20.0% |
| China | 13.4% | 34.0% |
| Japan | 4.5% | 24.0% |
| Vietnam | 4.2% | 46.0% |
| South Korea | 4.0% | 26.0% |
| Taiwan | 3.6% | 32.0% |
| India | 2.7% | 27.0% |
| UK | 2.1% | 10.0% |
| Switzerland | 1.9% | 32.0% |
| Thailand | 1.9% | 37.0% |
| Malaysia | 1.6% | 24.0% |
| Brazil | 1.3% | 10.0% |
| Singapore | 1.3% | 10.0% |
| Indonesia | 0.9% | 32.0% |
| Israel | 0.7% | 17.0% |
| Australia | 0.5% | 10.0% |
| Chile | 0.5% | 10.0% |
| Colombia | 0.5% | 10.0% |
| Turkey | 0.5% | 10.0% |
| Cambodia | 0.4% | 49.0% |
| Costa Rica | 0.4% | 10.0% |
| Philippines | 0.4% | 18.0% |
| Saudi Arabia | 0.4% | 10.0% |
| Bangladesh | 0.3% | 37.0% |
| Ecuador | 0.3% | 10.0% |
| Peru | 0.3% | 10.0% |
| Argentina | 0.2% | 10.0% |
| Dominican Republic | 0.2% | 10.0% |
| Guatemala | 0.2% | 10.0% |
| Guyana | 0.2% | 38.0% |
| Honduras | 0.2% | 10.0% |
| Iraq | 0.2% | 39.0% |
| New Zealand | 0.2% | 10.0% |
| Nigeria | 0.2% | 14.0% |
| Norway | 0.2% | 16.0% |
| Pakistan | 0.2% | 30.0% |
| United Arab Emirates | 0.2% | 10.0% |
| Venezuela | 0.2% | 15.0% |
| Algeria | 0.1% | 30.0% |
| Angola | 0.1% | 32.0% |
| Bahamas | 0.1% | 10.0% |
| Egypt | 0.1% | 10.0% |
| El Salvador | 0.1% | 10.0% |
| Jordan | 0.1% | 20.0% |
| Kazakhstan | 0.1% | 27.0% |
| Kuwait | 0.1% | 10.0% |
| Morocco | 0.1% | 10.0% |
| Nicaragua | 0.1% | 19.0% |
| Qatar | 0.1% | 10.0% |
| Sri Lanka | 0.1% | 44.0% |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 0.1% | 10.0% |
| Afghanistan | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Albania | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Andorra | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Anguilla | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Antigua and Barbuda | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Armenia | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Aruba | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Azerbaijan | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Bahrain | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Barbados | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Belize | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Benin | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Bermuda | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Bhutan | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Bolivia | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | <0.05% | 36.0% |
| Botswana | <0.05% | 38.0% |
| British Indian Ocean Territory | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| British Virgin Isles | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Brunei | <0.05% | 24.0% |
| Burundi | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Cameroon | <0.05% | 12.0% |
| Cape Verde | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Cayman Islands | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Central African Republic | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Chad | <0.05% | 13.0% |
| Christmas Island | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Cocos (Keeling) Islands | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Comoros | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Cook Islands | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Côte d’Ivoire | <0.05% | 21.0% |
| Curaçao | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | <0.05% | 11.0% |
| Djibouti | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Dominican Republic | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Equatorial Guinea | <0.05% | 13.0% |
| Eswatini (Swaziland) | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Ethiopia | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Falkland Islands | <0.05% | 42.0% |
| Fiji | <0.05% | 32.0% |
| French Guiana | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| French Polynesia | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Gabon | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Gambia | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Georgia | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Ghana | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Gibraltar | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Grenada | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Guadeloupe | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Guinea | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Guinea-Bissau | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Haiti | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Iceland | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Iran | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Jamaica | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Kenya | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Kiribati | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Kosovo | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Kyrgyzstan | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Laos | <0.05% | 48.0% |
| Lebanon | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Lesotho | <0.05% | 50.0% |
| Liberia | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Libya | <0.05% | 31.0% |
| Liechtenstein | <0.05% | 37.0% |
| Madagascar | <0.05% | 47.0% |
| Malawi | <0.05% | 18.0% |
| Maldives | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Mali | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Marshall Islands | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Martinique | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Mauritania | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Mauritius | <0.05% | 40.0% |
| Mayotte | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Micronesia | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Moldova | <0.05% | 31.0% |
| Monaco | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Mongolia | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Montenegro | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Montserrat | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Mozambique | <0.05% | 16.0% |
| Myanmar | <0.05% | 45.0% |
| Namibia | <0.05% | 21.0% |
| Nauru | <0.05% | 30.0% |
| Nepal | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Nigeria | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Norfolk Island | <0.05% | 29.0% |
| North Macedonia | <0.05% | 33.0% |
| Oman | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Panama | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Papua New Guinea | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Paraguay | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Republic of the Congo | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Reunion | <0.05% | 37.0% |
| Rwanda | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Saint Helena | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Saint Lucia | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Saint Pierre & Miquelon | <0.05% | 50.0% |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Samoa | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| San Marino | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Senegal | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Serbia | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Sierra Leone | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Sint Maarten | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Solomon Islands | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Sudan | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Suriname | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Syria | <0.05% | 41.0% |
| Tajikistan | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Tanzania | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Timor-Leste | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Togo | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Tokelau | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Tonga | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Tunisia | <0.05% | 28.0% |
| Turkmenistan | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Tuvalu | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Uganda | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Ukraine | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Uruguay | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Uzbekistan | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Vanuatu | <0.05% | 23.0% |
| Yemen | <0.05% | 10.0% |
| Zambia | <0.05% | 17.0% |
| Zimbabwe | <0.05% | 18.0% |
| Heard and McDonald Islands | NA | 10.0% |
| Svalbard and Jan Mayen | NA | 10.0% |
Data from BBC, which culled the information from the White House/Imports Data from the US Census Bureau. Includes all countries and territories listed as affected by the reciprocal tariffs. Some of these are 1% higher than those given by the White House on X.
3. What to Do After Tariffs Go Into Effect
Based on the list of reciprocal tariffs above, the European Union has been hit with just a 20% tariff on all goods – less than half the rate China now faces under Trump’s new policy. That means lower import taxes and fewer surprises for sellers sourcing from or expanding into Europe. With a massive consumer base spread across Amazon’s biggest EU marketplaces—Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Poland—the potential for growth is enormous. Plus, EU trade relationships with the U.S. are far less politically volatile, offering a bit of calm in an otherwise chaotic global market. And here’s the kicker: top Amazon categories like home, beauty, pet, and baby don’t just perform well—they thrive in the EU.
Statista shows that Home Decor is estimated to reach a revenue of US$38.76bn in Europe in 2025 (compared to US$37bn in the USA). Beauty & personal care is also on the rise, according to these statistics; the category is projected to hit US$150.58 billion, with 43.2% of sales coming from online channels, and a growing demand for natural-eco-friendly products. Market Data Forecast shows that there’s a strong demand for pet care in the EU – the market was valued at $74.9 billion in 2023, and expected to grow steadily, fueled by Millennials, Gen Z, and the rising focus on health-conscious, sustainable pet care solutions. Last but not least, Statista shows that the Baby Market is very healthy, as well; it’s expected to exceed €10 billion by 2025, with the baby diaper market reaching nearly €7 billion in 2020. Core categories include formula, toiletries, and hygiene.
Jana notes that the potential doesn’t just lie in these 4 categories. “We’ve worked with one clothing brand that’s earning US$5mn across the EU. There’s a lot of money in the EU.” In light of the new Trump reciprocal tariffs, it’s wise to consider your options in the EU. “Brands that have ‘made in the EU’ should stay in the EU because they can sell across the entire continent,” Jana points out. “(It’s a good time) for US brands to expand to the EU, because you never know when (the tariff rate) is going to change.”
She also points out that the higher tariff rates could pose an opportunity to expand to other marketplaces off-Amazon. There are many other European marketplaces with considerable potential, especially as tariffs on US goods make domestic and intra-EU trade increasingly attractive. In other words, in light of the rising custom tariffs charged on imports from the US, it’s time for sellers to diversify.
4. The List of Tariffs: US Tariffs vs. Claimed Tariffs on the US
President Trump announced reciprocal tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, claiming “It’s our declaration of economic independence.” Now, these rates are subject to change based on ongoing trade negotiations and policy adjustments – it’s possible that countries, such as India according to this CNN broadcast, will face discounted reciprocal tariffs; experts believe that India has avoided the worst of the tariff increase, thanks to diplomacy, targeted exemptions (e.g. pharmaceuticals and auto components), and hopes for a negotiated bilateral agreement.
Maybe other countries will follow suit; this report from Time showed that World Leaders were concerned across the board, but many (such as the UK and Australia) believe in the importance of cooperation over confrontation, signaling readiness for negotiation – but not at the cost of economic stability.
According to AP, Canada has retaliated by imposing a matching 25% tariff on the automobile sector from the US, aiming to cause maximum impact in the US while minimizing harm at home. BBC reports that EU leaders fear rising prices, shrinking exports, and potential recession; in fact, it plans a two-phase retaliation starting with up to €26 billion in tariffs on U.S. goods, and potentially escalating to include digital services and Big Tech restrictions under the Anti-Coercion Instrument. National leaders across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland, and others stressed unity, calm negotiation, and readiness to respond proportionally. While some countries like Hungary blame the EU’s leadership, most agree the tariffs are unjustified and damaging to small businesses, farmers, and manufacturers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Nevertheless, the reciprocal tariffs, which take effect on April 5, are supposed to be a response to tariffs levied on US goods by foreign countries that, according to the Trump administration, have long imposed higher import duties, non-tariff barriers, and other trade restrictions.
Here’s a snapshot of the countries that are worst affected, but full the full list check out this article from Forbes:
| Country/Region | New US Tariff | Claimed Tariff on US |
|---|---|---|
| China | 54% | 67% |
| Vietnam | 46% | 90% |
| Thailand | 36% | 72% |
| Cambodia | 49% | 97% |
| Taiwan | 32% | 64% |
| European Union | 20% | 39% |
| UK, Australia, Brazil, etc. | 10% (baseline) | 10% or less |
Sellers sourcing from countries already facing extremely high tariffs may need to reassess their supply chains to stay competitive in global markets – and, following Jana’s advice, consider expanding to Europe.
5. Fighting the Tariff List: Think About Expanding to Europe
Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that higher reciprocal tariffs aim to counter what he calls unfairly higher tariffs on American exports. Now that the White House has revealed a list of the tariffs each country will face, Amazon sellers have a bunch of questions they need to ask themselves:
- How will this affect your pricing? Will you still stay competitive?
- Will you absorb the extra cost, or will you transfer this to the consumer?
- Is it still worthwhile to import goods from abroad, or will you transfer manufacturing to the USA?
- Isn’t it time to expand now?
A 10 to 20 percent tariff on goods sourced from other countries (at a minimum) means your margins shrink before your inventory even hits the FBA warehouse. Between high tariffs and our previously imposed import taxes, the cost of doing business on Amazon just got a lot more expensive for U.S.-based sellers.
Expanding to Europe offers Amazon sellers a strategic escape from steep U.S. import tariffs. With lower trade tensions, a 20% or less tariff rate, and a massive, growing customer base across marketplaces like Amazon DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, and PL, Europe provides a more stable, profitable environment. Sellers can protect margins, reduce dependence on volatile U.S. policies, and tap into high-performing categories like clothing, beauty, pet, home, and baby—all while avoiding the brunt of high tariffs and previously imposed import taxes in the U.S.
So, given the announcement of President Donald Trump on Wednesday, it looks like Europe is the financially viable option for Amazon sellers that need a buffer against these rising tariff rates.
Selling in the EU isn’t as easy as 1-2-3. European consumer behavior isn’t the same as American consumer behavior, and sellers face different restrictions, on and off Amazon. But we’ve got you covered. Check out this guide to Amazon Europe Expansion; it contains everything you need to know, including the importance of careful, targeted localization.
YLT Translations can help you with native-speaking translators who know Amazon inside and out, culturally adapted listings (not just word-for-word translations), and keyword optimization for real search volume in local markets. Give us a call today – we can help you with your expansion plans, and diversify the risk of selling in the USA.
Conclusion: Your US-Based Business Will Be Hit With Reciprocal Tariffs, One Way or Another
Amazon sellers, these new tariffs could be a game-changer, a short-term headache, or just noise in the background – nobody knows just yet. Some say they’ll bring back American manufacturing and strengthen the economy. Others predict price hikes, profit cuts, and a possible global recession. Most likely? The reality will land somewhere in between. But what’s certain right now is this: if you’re an Amazon seller relying heavily on imports, your business just got a lot more unpredictable.
That’s why diversification isn’t just smart—it’s necessary. Expanding to Europe isn’t about abandoning the U.S. market; it’s about building a buffer. The EU offers lower trade volatility, strong consumer demand, and a growing ecommerce base across categories like home, beauty, pet, and baby. And with reciprocal tariffs at just 20%—compared to 30, 40, even 50% for other regions—it could be a much safer bet.
YLT Translations can help you make the leap without losing your voice. We specialize in Amazon listings that aren’t just translated—they’re culturally adapted, keyword-optimized, and conversion-ready for real European customers.
Don’t wait for the next tariff announcement to start scrambling. Expand smart, sell global, and cushion your risk. Talk to YLT today and future-proof your brand.