US President Donald Trump has agitated the world trade pot once more. This time, it’s not tariffs alone. On Easter Sunday, he unveiled a list of eight “non-tariff means” that he alleges nations employ to deceive the United States. The declaration came days after he announced a broad tariff regime — exempting all but China — and renewed old complaints against allies and adversaries alike.

China has already hit back with stringent of its own. While countries rush for relief of trade, Trump’s new non-tariff allegations point to greater confrontation. For nations such as India and Britain, this translates into new urgency to sign bilateral agreements before they suffer economic damage.

Trump’s Non-Tariff Trade Accusations

Rather than a peaceful Easter message, Trump went on an attack against America’s trading partners. He attacked the Biden administration and blamed nations for long-term exploitation. The post, posted on TruthSocial, explained how others supposedly avoid traditional tariffs while keeping unfair advantages.

Trump’s Eight-Point ‘Cheating’ List

In the now-famous post, Trump presented eight major strategies he claims countries use to damage US industries:

Currency Manipulation
Value-Added Taxes (VATs) that function as disguised tariffs and export subsidies
Dumping Below Cost to push out American competitors
Export Subsidies and Government Assistance
Agricultural Barriers such as prohibitions on genetically modified crops (e.g., in the EU)
Technical Standards, such as Japan’s notorious “bowling ball test”
Counterfeiting and IP Theft, which cost more than $1 trillion a year
Transshipping — redirecting goods to escape US tariffs

Even though Trump did not directly mention the majority of countries, he revived some old grievances against Japan and the European Union.

Japan in the Crosshairs Again

Trump again stirred up criticism of Japan’s automobile sector. In his view, Japanese regulators roll a bowling ball on the hood of foreign-made cars to check how well they hold up. If the hood gets dented, the car is rejected.

“It’s horrible,” Trump claimed, stating that this is a deliberate move to keep out American-made automobiles. He first brought up this topic in 2018, and now it’s back in the political limelight.

Tariffs Target China, While Others Enjoy 90-Day Reprieve

Trump stunned world markets earlier this year with new broad tariffs. All countries — except China — were given a 90-day reprieve. But for China, Trump slapped a 145% tariff on products, saying Beijing continues to take advantage of US markets.

China retaliated by imposing a 125% duty on US exports. Experts put the escalation at reducing global merchandise trade by 0.2%.

Countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America are now hurrying to Washington. Most worry about losing US market access unless they get favorable trade terms. Diplomatic backchannels are humming. Even key allies are angling for exemptions, attempting to escape the full force of Trump’s economic crackdown.

New Trade Front: From Tariffs to Technicalities

Trump’s non-tariff complaints open a new front in trade wars. It’s not simply a matter of how much tax nations impose on imports anymore. It’s about more structural barriers — from local subsidies to hidden safety regulations.

If Trump is re-elected, these technical grievances could become bargaining chips. Upcoming trade agreements might ask nations to alter domestic rules, rather than cut tariffs.

India and UK Seek Bilateral Shields

India and Britain are already racing to negotiate new bilateral trade agreements. They worry that their exports will get ensnared in Trump’s widening web of protectionism. India, with its extensive diaspora and manufacturing base, is especially vulnerable to surprise tariff changes.

UK negotiators also view Trump’s comeback as a reason to accelerate post-Brexit talks.

Trade as a Political Weapon

Trump isn’t merely speaking economics — he’s employing trade policy as a political tool. By revealing non-tariff strategies, he’s broadening the discussion past conventional import levies. This strategy may rewrite the way nations interact with the US.

To the world community, it is no longer sufficient to reduce tariffs. Countries now need to prepare for a more in-depth review of how they operate — or face being accused of being cheaters.