Ease of doing business
theboardiQ Tariffs Dashboard:
Powering Mutually Beneficial Global Trade.
Understand the complexities of international tariffs and ease of doing business across nations to cultivate balanced trade relationships, streamline operations, and deliver cost savings to end consumers.
Implications
The recent focus of U.S. tariff policy has been on a global system of "reciprocal tariffs" and specific sectoral tariffs, which now largely supersedes older, country-specific trade agreements for many goods.
Here is an update on US tariffs, deals, and the impact on Lebanon and businesses, as of October 2025:
Deals and Agreements (Global Update)
The U.S. has established a two-tiered tariff system under its new trade policy, but has paused or modified rates for partners that have engaged in negotiations.
Partner(s) | Tariff Status (October 2025) | Key Details |
All Non-Sanctioned Countries | 10% (Baseline "Reciprocal Tariff") | A universal 10% "Reciprocal Tariff" is applied to most imports globally, unless a country-specific rate or an exemption applies. |
Trade Deal Partners | Reduced/Capped Tariffs | The U.S. has reached preliminary agreements with several partners (including the UK, EU, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines). Tariffs for these countries are often capped (e.g., EU goods at 15%) or subject to phased reductions. |
Sectoral Tariffs | High & Increasing | New tariffs are being imposed on specific product categories regardless of origin: |
- Steel & Aluminum: 25% to 50% (broadly applied) | ||
- Automobiles & Parts: 25% (globally, with some partner exemptions) | ||
- Trucks (Medium/Heavy Duty): 25% (effective November 1, 2025) | ||
- Furniture/Cabinets: 25% to 50% (new tariffs effective in October) | ||
- Pharmaceuticals: Up to 100% (threatened/pending) |
Lebanon Update
Lebanon does not appear to be among the countries that have negotiated a specific reciprocal tariff rate or a special trade agreement to waive the new global tariffs.
Area | Status (October 2025) | Key Details |
US Tariffs on Lebanon | 10% Minimum | Since Lebanon is not listed as having an exemption or a specific higher/lower reciprocal rate, its goods are generally subject to the 10% universal reciprocal tariff. |
Sectoral Tariffs | Applicable | Any Lebanese exports that fall under the new, high-rate sectoral tariffs (e.g., steel, aluminum, certain furniture) are subject to those increased duties. |
Trade Agreements | In Doubt | The long-standing Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, which allowed duty-free exports from Lebanon, is under review or has been suspended, and the existing Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) offers little protection against the new IEEPA-based tariffs. |
Overall Trade | Geopolitical Influence | U.S. trade policy with Lebanon remains heavily intertwined with its complex political and security situation in the region. |
Companies Impact
The primary effect on companies is higher import costs, supply chain disruption, and general uncertainty.
Impact Area | Details |
Increased Import Costs | U.S. importers of goods are paying the full tariff cost, which is then passed on as higher prices for U.S. businesses (inputs) and consumers (final goods). This is the largest tax increase on American businesses since 1993, with an estimated cost of $1,300 to $1,600 per U.S. household in 2025-2026. |
Targeted Industries | Companies in sectors targeted by new high tariffs, such as automotive (trucks, parts), furniture/cabinets, steel, aluminum, and potentially pharmaceuticals, are facing the sharpest cost increases and are actively seeking to restructure supply chains. |
Supply Chain Shifts | Companies are continuing to move sourcing and manufacturing out of high-tariff countries (like China and to a lesser extent, Canada/Mexico for non-USMCA goods) and into exempted or lower-tariff countries in Southeast Asia and other regions. |
"Front-Loading" Fades | Many businesses "front-loaded" or stockpiled inventory earlier in the year to beat the tariff deadlines, leading to record inventory levels. This buffer is now eroding, meaning higher prices are expected to fully hit consumers in late 2025 and 2026. |
US Revised Tariffs
Country Tariffs
Balance of Trade
Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in countries, prepared by U.S. Embassies worldwide, Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
Tariff Rate for US
World Bank staff estimates using the World Integrated Trade Solution system, based on tariff data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's Trade Analysis and Information System ( TRAINS ) database and global imports data from the United Nations Statistics Division's Comtrade database.
US Imports Guide
United States Imports from Countries during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. United States Imports from Countries- data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on April of 2025.
Investing in USA
theboardiQ Economic Relevance Score, ranks States of USA based on 11 parameters
Sources : Forbes | USDA Economic Research | TCGen Total Innovation Rank Index | Best States for Manufacturing | World Population Review | Tax Foundation | US News | BEA Data | Wikipedia | International Trade Administration
theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score provides a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of a nation's economic vitality and global significance. This score is meticulously calculated using 11 key parameters, each reflecting a critical facet of economic performance. It analyzes the representation of Fortune 500 companies within a nation, a strong indicator of its business environment and market size. The balance of trade surplus or deficit reveals the nation's international competitiveness and export strength. It incorporates Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a fundamental measure of overall economic output, and examine the health of key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. The score also accounts for innovation, gauging a nation's ability to drive future growth through technological advancements. Crucial labor market indicators such as employment rates are considered, alongside fiscal policies reflected in tax rates. To capture the lived experience of citizens, it assesses cost of living and disposable income, providing insight into purchasing power and economic well-being. Finally, education levels are integrated, recognizing their pivotal role in fostering a skilled workforce and driving long-term economic development. By synthesizing these 11 parameters, theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score delivers a nuanced and holistic view of a nation's economic standing, enabling informed strategic decisions. The Top 5 States in the assessment are Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida and Washington. Texas does consistently well across most of the 11 variables especially in the areas of GDP, F500 representation in the State, Balance of Trade where it ranks 2nd nationally. North Carolina scores as the highest-ranking state nationally in manufacturing and performs consistently across the other variables. Virginia does well in disposable income where it ranks 3rd nationally. It also scores high in the variables of manufacturing and employment Florida holds the 4th ranking nationally for GDP and Tax Washington State scores the top spot for disposable income nationally, 2nd for education and 3rd for innovation. Colorado, with an overall rank of 7 scores the top spot for Education (schools and higher education). Nebraska, that ranked 10th overall, did well in Agriculture where it is ranked 3rd nationally as well as Trade Balance where it ranked 5th. Illinois, though ranked 20th overall did well nationally in F500 representation, GDP, Agriculture, and Disposable Income. Pennsylvania comes in at 21 overall doing well nationally in GDP (6th); Manufacturing (8th) and F500 representation (8th) New York scores 23rd overall with a 2 ranking in Disposable Income nationally, as well as 3rd in both F500 representation and GDP. California comes in at 29th overall and has the top spot ranking in a whopping 4 variables nationally – GDP, Innovation, Agriculture and F500 representation. However, performance in the areas of Trade Balance, Cost of Living, Tax, Manufacturing and Employment resulted in the overall ranking dipping. Wyoming at 30th overall scores the top spot nationally in the area of Tax Massachusetts at 31 overall does well in innovation where it is ranked 2nd nationally Arkansas at 36 and Alabama at 39, do well in overall Cost of Living where they are ranked 2nd and 3rd nationally, respectively. Louisiana ranked 44th overall is ranked 1st in Trade Balance nationally.
Economic
Relevance
Ranking
State | Info | Overall Rank | Agri | Innov | Mfg | Employ | Tax | Edu | GDP | F500 Rep | Trade Balance | Cost of Living | Disp Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texas | 1 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 42 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 13 | |
North Carolina | 2 | 9 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 28 | 11 | 16 | 41 | 17 | 17 | |
Virginia | 3 | 32 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 28 | 7 | 13 | 6 | 34 | 35 | 3 | |
Florida | 4 | 21 | 11 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 35 | 4 | 7 | 40 | 30 | 37 | |
Washington | 5 | 16 | 3 | 36 | 28 | 45 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 9 | 43 | 1 | |
Missouri | 6 | 11 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 13 | 32 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 10 | 20 | |
Georgia | 7 | 15 | 26 | 9 | 3 | 26 | 34 | 8 | 9 | 43 | 26 | 19 | |
Minnesota | 8 | 6 | 10 | 47 | 6 | 44 | 8 | 20 | 10 | 33 | 33 | 9 | |
Ohio | 9 | 12 | 32 | 7 | 30 | 35 | 36 | 7 | 5 | 38 | 15 | 11 | |
Illinois | 10 | 5 | 23 | 31 | 23 | 37 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 47 | 32 | 7 |