WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is taking a blowtorch to the rules that have governed world trade for decades. The “reciprocal’’ tariffs that he announced Thursday are likely to create chaos for global businesses and conflict with America’s allies and adversaries alike.

The United States is preparing to impose new tariffs on countries it deems to have unfair trade policies, following a directive signed by President Donald Trump. The White House announced that a plan for “reciprocal trade and tariffs” will be developed within six months,

Trump's administration maintains that its new tariffs are intended to level the playing field for U.S. and foreign manufacturers.