The Trump Administration has made good on its vow with a salvo of tariffs against trade partners as well as rivals of the United States.

Bermuda features on the list of Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs unveiled on Wednesday, with the island’s being set at 10 per cent.

Exactly what affect the tax would have on a service economy dependent on imports has drawn concern since Mr Trump’s return to power.

The Bermuda Government said it was aware of America’s intentions but added that Bermuda’s tariff was not expected to deliver a critical blow to the island because few goods at exported to the US.

David Burt, the Premier, said: “Bermuda and the United States remain strong partners, which was reaffirmed during my recent visit to Washington.

“Following my return to Bermuda, I also met with the new US Consul-General, Antoinette Hurtado.

“While the United States’s new tariff regime may not have a significant direct impact, its impact on other jurisdictions and global supply chains will likely increase global prices and the costs of goods that we import.

“The Government will continue to engage directly with the United States on this and other critical issues, such as shipping. We will also continue to monitor the economic impact of the US’s new tariff regime as to how it may affect local prices.”

He added: “The Government has acted in the past to protect Bermudians from 40-year-high global inflation, and we will do whatever we can to minimise the impact of this change in US trade policy.”

It comes after Mr Burt told US officials last week during his visit that new shipping fees proposed by the administration would “significantly impact shipping costs, increasing the cost of all goods imported into Bermuda” to an unsustainable level.

Mr Burt has voiced confidence in Bermuda’s ability to withstand fallout from protectionist trade moves by the US.

However, the possibility of heavy fees on fleets with Chinese-made vessels docking in US ports raised immediately red flags last month for the Bermuda Container Line, whose Chinese-made container ship, the MV Oleander, would be significantly affected.