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The formula used to calculate the "reciprocal" traffic rate for various countries is incredibly stupid, devious and damaging.

Apparently, it is simply half the trade deficit divided by the total imports from the country, rounded up, with a minimum of 10%. It has no relationship with the actual tariff rates charged by the country on U.S. goods.

E.g., Vietnam: $123.5b trade surplus, $136.6b imports by U.S., 123.5 / 136.6 / 2 = 46% reciprocal tariff.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/03/how-did-the-us-arrive-at-its-tariff-figures-.html
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