Donald Trump’s Treasury secretary Scott Bessent is pushing for new universal tariffs on US imports to start at 2.5 per cent and rise gradually, said four people familiar with the proposal.

Newly confirmed U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is advocating a plan to impose universal tariffs on imports, according to the Financial Times. The proposal suggests starting tariffs at 2.5%, increasing by 2.

The veteran investor will be at the center of President Trump’s efforts to cut taxes, fight inflation and impose stiff tariffs on imports.