India, July 9 -- A leading UN trade official warned on Tuesday that the United States' decision to delay the end of a tariff suspension by a few weeks risks prolonging global uncertainty and undermining long-term investments and commercial contracts.

While the initial 90-day pause on so-called "reciprocal" tariffs offered some relief compared to planned increases of up to 50 per cent, the US imposed a 10 per cent baseline tariff instead, added on top of existing duties. This means many countries - especially developing economies - faced higher costs exporting goods to the US.

She warned this move adds to a mounting "dual shock" of rising trade restrictions and deep cuts to development aid, which hit developing countries the hardest.

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