President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing higher tariffs on dozens of countries in his latest attempt to change global trade in favour of American businesses, with the duties set to take effect in seven days.

The order sets tariffs on imports as high as 41 percent on Syria, alongside various levels reflecting trade deals struck between Washington and major partners such as the European Union and Japan.

Separately, the White House announced that Canadian imports would face 35 percent tariffs starting Friday, up from the existing 25 percent. An exemption for Canadian and Mexican goods entering the country under a North American trade agreement remains in place, according to the White House. Mexico continues to face tariffs of 25%. 

The announcement ended a series of efforts to reach trade agreements with the Trump administration ahead of the president's original Friday deadline. So far, Washington had announced agreements with Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea and the European Union. But the details of those agreements remain unclear. Also looming over the world economy is an unresolved trade dispute between the United States and China. | BGNES, AFP