Many smaller countries’ exports have faced 10 percent tariffs since the president first announced, then suspended, an initial wave of policies in April. Others have staved off eye-watering rates after brokering deals with the United States that set their tariffs generally between 15 and 20 percent.

The stock market has been solid during the tariff drama, with the S&P 500 index climbing more than 25% from its April low. The market's rebound and the income tax cuts in Trump's tax and spending measure signed into law on July 4 have given the White House confidence that economic growth is bound to accelerate in the coming months.

The economic impact is already visible, with signs of stalled hiring, rising inflation and declining home values.