Goa, July 8 -- US President Donald Trump has intensified his trade offensive by imposing fresh tariffs on 14 countries, with the harshest rates-up to 40%-hitting Myanmar and Laos. Other nations facing steep duties include Thailand and Cambodia (36%), Bangladesh and Serbia (35%), Indonesia (32%), South Africa and Bosnia (30%), and several others. Notably, long-standing US allies Japan and South Korea are also affected, each facing a 25% tariff beginning August 1.

Trump said the new tariffs aim to secure fairer trade deals and boost US exports. He warned that any retaliatory measures would be met with a matching response, reinforcing his administration's hardline stance on trade negotiations.

Despite the strong language, Trump left room f...