Donald Trump signed the tariff directive a week ago, but had to allow time for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to make necessary changes to collect the levies. Photo by Alex Brandon/The Associated Press

President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs officially took hold Thursday, as he barrels forward with his turbulent push to reshape global trade.

After months of chaotic threats and reversals, higher rates for almost all United States trading partners began just after midnight in New York. Trump signed the directive a week ago, but had to allow time for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to make necessary changes to collect the levies.

Taken together, Trump’s actions will push the average U.S. tariff rate to 15.2 per cent, according to Bloomberg Economics estimates, well above 2

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