President Donald Trump has announced a flurry of trade activity ahead of Friday's official start of his new tariffs regime — executive actions including 50% tariffs on Brazil, a 15% tax on American imports from South Korea and an end to exemptions for imported goods worth less than $800.

The low-cost shipments were previously excluded from tariffs; President Trump said the loophole has allowed countries to avoid taxes and smuggle drugs into the U.S.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday placing tariffs on many U.S. trade partners — the next step in his trade agenda that will test the global economy and alliances