President Donald Trump has announced a new plan to set a flat import tariff of 15% to 20% on goods from countries that do not have specific trade agreements with the United States. Speaking in Scotland alongside the U.K. Prime Minister, Trump explained that this policy would serve as a standard rate for countries not covered by individual deals.

This is a notable shift from his earlier announcement in April, where he proposed a 10% base tariff. Now, the expected rate has gone up, which could have broad consequences for countries that rely on exporting goods to the U.S. Trump said this move is necessary because it’s not realistic to negotiate hundreds of separate trade deals.

Some U.S. officials had previously suggested smaller or developing countries—like those in Latin America, the Caribbean, and parts of Africa—might receive the lower 10% rate. But now, Trump appears set on a more aggressive baseline for all, unless specific negotiations are made.

This decision is especially relevant as the U.S. has not yet signed deals with many countries, and a self-imposed August 1 deadline is fast approaching. Trump's team has indicated that they are not rushing to make more agreements, with a preference for simply applying the tariffs instead of entering into complex talks.

In recent days, the U.S. has already rolled out 15% tariffs on goods from Japan and the European Union. Some nations, such as Brazil and Laos, have been hit with even steeper tariffs of up to 40% or 50%, showing how widely the U.S. is willing to vary its trade approach.

The proposed flat tariff system reflects Trump’s strategy of using tariffs as leverage rather than relying heavily on detailed negotiations. This approach simplifies U.S. trade policy but may increase costs for companies and consumers worldwide.