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The Trump administration is preparing to notify foreign governments that U.S. tariffs may take effect Aug. 1 unless new trade deals are finalized, ramping up pressure ahead of a self-imposed Wednesday deadline.
Beginning Monday, the administration plans to send letters to as many as 15 countries, warning that higher import taxes could be enforced unless agreements are reached. President Donald Trump has said his team is applying maximum pressure to expedite negotiations, although he has left open the possibility of extending the talks.
“We’ve made deals also,” Trump told reporters Sunday before departing New Jersey for Washington. “So we’ll get to have a combination of letters, and some deals have been made.”
Trump first announced the tariffs on April 2, including a 10 percent base import tax and separate charges of 50 percent on steel and aluminum and 25 percent on cars. Most of the new tariffs were later paused for 90 days, giving negotiators until July 9 to secure revised trade terms. So far, only the United Kingdom and Vietnam have reached new agreements.
Trump also announced he plans to begin delivering letters to countries regarding tariff deals on Monday.
“I am pleased to announce that the UNITED STATES TARIFF Letters, and/or Deals, with various Countries from around the World, will be delivered starting at noon (Eastern), Monday, July 7th. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, President of The United States of America,” he posted to Truth Social late Sunday.
As the BRICS bloc of developing countries continues its summit in Brazil, Trump has also warned of an additional 10% tariff on nations aligning with the group’s “anti-American policies,” further complicating trade dynamics.
“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
His warning came just hours after BRICS leaders issued a joint statement from the summit in Rio de Janeiro, criticizing rising tariffs as a threat to global trade. The group’s remarks were seen as a veiled rebuke of Trump’s approach to trade policy.
