The Trump administration is considering raising the recently imposed tariffs from a flat rate of 10% to 15%, as indicated by Treasury Secretary Besant on April 4. He stated that the adjustment could happen within the week, with President Trump expected to sign the related order soon. While specific exemptions weren't detailed, reports from Bloomberg suggested that the European Union would remain unaffected by this increase, maintaining its current tariff rate at 10%.

Within this context, Secretary Besant's remarks during an interview with CNBC clarified the administration's timeline for the increase but did not elaborate on which countries might be exempt. Bloomberg's sources indicated that the EU had secured assurances from the U.S. that they would not face an increase in their tariff rates, pointing out that a previous agreement set the tariff rate for imports from the EU to 15% last year - combining original rates and reciprocal tariffs without exceeding the upper limit.

Japan is reportedly in a similar position, having reached an agreement under the same tariff conditions. Japanese Minister of Economic Affairs Ryo Masuda is set to visit the U.S. from April 5 to further discuss Japan's tariff situation with U.S. officials. This series of engagements highlights a crucial period for international trade relations, especially as countries negotiate their trade positions amidst changing tariff rates and potential exemptions.