U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order introducing a tiered tariff regime on 69 trading partners, with duties ranging from 10% to 41%. The White House says the measures, which take effect on 7 August, are designed to make foreign levies “reciprocal” with those faced by American exporters. India has been singled out for a 25% blanket tariff—well above the 15% rates agreed with the European Union, Japan and South Korea—prompting warnings of mass layoffs in India’s export-oriented textile industry and renewed criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trade strategy. Analysts note that electronics shipments may escape the full levy, but logistics firms are already rerouting supply chains in anticipation of higher costs. The order also lifts Canada’s rate to 35% and pushes Brazil’s to 50%, widening a protectionist sweep that Beijing, Ottawa and Brasília say risks undermining a rules-based trading system. China’s foreign ministry called the move a “lose-lose” escalation, while developing economies across Africa and Asia warned of job losses and weaker growth. Indian officials say diplomatic engagement with Washington will continue, but opposition leaders argue the tariff undermines small manufacturers and farmers and complicates talks on a bilateral trade accord. Market strategists caution that the higher duties add fresh uncertainty to global growth prospects already dented by sluggish U.S. employment data and volatile commodity prices.