WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump signed an order Thursday imposing higher tariffs on dozens of countries in his latest bid to reshape global trade in favour of United States (US) businesses, with duties to take effect in seven days.

The order set out tariffs on imports that ranged as high as 41 per cent on Syria, alongside various levels reflecting trade deals struck between Washington and major partners like the European Union and Japan.

Separately, the White House announced that Canadian imports will face 35 per cent tariffs come Friday, up from an existing 25 per cent level.

An exemption for Canadian and Mexican goods entering the country under a North American trade pact remained in place, according to the White House.

Mexico continues to face 25 per cent tariffs.

The announcement capped a flurry of efforts to reach trade pacts with the Trump administration ahead of the president’s initial Friday deadline.

So far, Washington had announced pacts with Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea and the European Union.

But details of those agreements have remained vague.

Looming over the global economy is also an unresolved trade tussle between the United States and China.