Trump: Tariff Letters to 12 Countries Signed, Going out Monday/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump will send tariff letters Monday to about twelve nations, possibly imposing rates up to 70%. Businesses fear renewed trade chaos as global markets react nervously. Some countries scramble for deals ahead of the looming deadlines.
Trump Tariff Letters Quick Looks
- Trump to send tariff letters Monday to nations.
- Possible tariffs as high as 70% hinted.
- Global markets drop amid renewed trade tensions.
- Nations like South Korea, Thailand rush for deals.
- Previous global tariffs paused but threat resurges.
- Letters seen as faster than complex trade talks.
- Tariff pause expires July 9 for some countries.
- Treasury aims for deals by Labor Day deadline.
Trump Plans New Tariff Letters to Dozen Nations, Raising Trade War Stakes
Deep Look
President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration will start sending letters on Monday to around a dozen countries, informing them of new tariff rates on their imports—a move that could dramatically reignite trade tensions after months of relative calm.
Why It Matters
- For businesses that have enjoyed a respite from trade volatility, Trump’s abrupt move threatens to disrupt the fragile stability that’s settled over global commerce in recent months.
- Financial markets, which had largely shifted into a “post-tariff” mindset, reacted immediately. European stocks and U.S. stock futures fell on Friday after Trump signaled the letters were coming.
What Trump Said
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One late Friday, Trump confirmed that letters would be sent to about a dozen nations on Monday.
- He did not specify which countries would be targeted or what tariff rates they’d face.
- On Thursday, however, he said rates could take effect on August 1, with some possibly as high as 70%.
Context and Background
The administration has used similar tactics before: threatening sharp tariff hikes while leaving a window open for trading partners to negotiate last-minute deals.
- Recently, reports indicate nations like South Korea and Thailand are working quickly to secure exemptions or favorable terms before new tariffs hit.
Flashback to April
- Trump imposed sweeping global tariffs on April 2 but paused many of them within a week.
- The administration initially promised “90 trade days in 90 days,” but in practice, only secured three deals during the first 85 days—with the UK, China, and Vietnam.
- By mid-May, Trump suggested deals were optional and hinted the U.S. might simply dictate rates via letters to trading partners.
He repeated that stance in mid-June, describing letters as a simpler alternative to complex multilateral negotiations.
Timing and Uncertainty
While the current pause on new tariffs is set to expire July 9, individual countries—including China and Canada—face separate deadlines stretching into late July or August.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has signaled flexibility, saying the goal is to finalize all deals by Labor Day.
What’s Next?
Analysts are closely watching how aggressive the White House will be on tariff rates in these new letters.
- For example, the recent deal with Vietnam imposed a 20% tariff—twice the global baseline but significantly lower than the 50%+ rates the country initially faced in April.
The coming week could reveal whether Trump’s strategy is a bargaining tool—or the opening salvo in a fresh round of trade battles.
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