AS the United States tariff policy continues to pile ever-growing pressure on the American economy and financial markets, it has become evident that Washington's use of tariffs as a means to gain the upper hand in trade negotiations or economic competition is an increasingly untenable strategy. The unilateral US approach toward global trade is more likely to plunge its own economy into a predicament rather than achieving its intended goals.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on March 16 that once the US has imposed tariffs on its major trading partners, it could engage in bilateral talks with countries on new trade agreements, Reuters reported.