Trump says tariff letters to 12 countries signed, going out Monday

 

President Donald Trump announced that he has signed letters to 12 countries notifying them of the specific tariff rates they will face when exporting goods to the United States. These letters, which he described as “take it or leave it” offers, are expected to be sent on Monday. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump did not identify which countries will receive the letters but confirmed that they detail varying tariff levels based on country and product type.

This move marks a significant shift in the White House’s trade policy. Initially, Trump and his administration aimed to negotiate tailored agreements with several trading partners. However, slow progress and ongoing disputes, especially with major economies like Japan and the European Union, have led to a more aggressive and unilateral approach. Trump suggested that sending letters is “much easier” than engaging in lengthy negotiations.

In April, the administration unveiled a 10 percent base tariff rate with higher rates some up to 50 percent for most countries. These additional rates were temporarily suspended for 90 days to allow time for negotiations. That grace period ends on July 9. Trump has since indicated that tariffs could climb even higher, potentially reaching up to 70 percent, with most measures going into effect on August 1.

The decision to pivot to direct tariff threats underscores the complexity of reaching comprehensive trade deals in a short time. Most traditional trade agreements can take years to finalize, making Trump’s accelerated timeline unrealistic in many cases. As a result, the administration now appears to be taking a more forceful stance to push countries into compliance.

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Amid the Trump administration’s push to enforce higher tariffs on foreign goods, only two countries Britain and Vietnam have reached formal agreements with the United States. In May, the UK secured a deal that maintains the 10 percent base tariff while gaining preferential treatment in key sectors such as automobiles and aircraft engines. This agreement allows for continued exports without further penalties and represents one of the few successes in Trump’s new trade strategy.

Vietnam also reached a partial deal. Under the agreement, tariffs on many Vietnamese goods were reduced from a threatened 46 percent to 20 percent. In return, Vietnam agreed to allow many U.S. goods to enter duty-free. These deals highlight what Trump considers the ideal outcome: favorable terms for American exports paired with reduced import barriers for countries willing to make concessions.

However, talks with other nations have largely stalled. A much-anticipated agreement with India failed to materialize. European Union diplomats have also reported no breakthroughs in their negotiations with the Trump administration. With the deadline for the 90-day tariff suspension period approaching on July 9, the failure to secure broader trade agreements means that higher tariffs are likely to kick in starting August 1.

This new approach delivering tariff terms by letter rather than continuing complex negotiations reflects mounting frustration within the White House over delays and limited progress. Trump's administration sees these direct letters as a faster way to pressure countries into action.

Still, the shift risks sparking broader trade tensions, as many countries may view the move as an ultimatum rather than an invitation to negotiate. As global financial markets continue to respond to uncertainty around trade policies, Trump’s high-stakes gamble could have far-reaching economic and diplomatic consequences in the coming months.