🔹 The United States will impose new import tariffs starting August 1, according to official letters sent by President Donald Trump to leaders of 14 countries. Despite the harsh tone, Trump described the move as a step toward “strong friendship.”
🔹 The letters, published via Truth Social, come just days before the expiration of a deadline that would otherwise reinstate previous maximum tariff levels. Trump also plans to issue an executive order extending this deadline to August 1.
✉️ Which Countries Received the Letters?
According to ten separate posts reviewed on Truth Social, the letters were sent to:
🔹 Japan
🔹 South Korea
🔹 Malaysia
🔹 Kazakhstan
🔹 South Africa
🔹 Laos
🔹 Myanmar
🔹 Bosnia and Herzegovina
🔹 Tunisia
🔹 Indonesia
🔹 Bangladesh
🔹 Serbia
🔹 Cambodia
🔹 Thailand
💰 Tariffs by Country – Up to 40%
Each letter outlined specific tariff rates:
🔹 25%: Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Tunisia
🔹 30%: South Africa, Bosnia
🔹 32%: Indonesia
🔹 35%: Bangladesh, Serbia
🔹 36%: Cambodia, Thailand
🔹 40%: Laos, Myanmar
Trump warned: “If for any reason you choose to raise tariffs, whatever amount you raise will be added to the 25% we charge.” He also emphasized that “goods rerouted to bypass higher tariffs will still be taxed accordingly.”
The letters clarified that these tariffs are separate from industry-specific duties, and the White House confirmed that an executive order will delay the original July deadline to August 1, giving affected countries a short extension.
📉 Markets React with a Decline
Financial markets responded negatively:
🔹 Dow Jones: –422.17 points (closed at 44,406.36)
🔹 S&P 500: –0.79% (closed at 6,229.98)
🔹 Nasdaq Composite: –0.92% (closed at 20,412.52)
Trump’s spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed that more letters are expected. She also referenced the earlier “pause” on April 9, when Trump temporarily lowered all tariffs to 10%. That 90-day pause was due to expire this week but has now been extended by over three weeks.
📦 What Do These Countries Export to the US?
🔹 Japan & South Korea: Cars, electronics, machinery
🔹 Kazakhstan: Oil, metal alloys
🔹 Malaysia: Electronic components
🔹 South Africa: Precious metals
🔹 Laos: Optical fibers, glasses, apparel
🔹 Myanmar: Mattresses, bedding
📊 Why Is Trump Imposing Tariffs?
Trump claims the U.S. trade deficit is the root issue and that tariffs are necessary to fix a “persistent imbalance.” For example, in 2024:
🔹 Japan had a deficit of $68.5 billion
🔹 South Korea had a deficit of $66 billion
🔹 Myanmar’s was much smaller at $579.3 million
He noted the tariffs can be adjusted depending on the behavior of each country. The letters stated that if these nations remove “tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers,” the U.S. “may consider adjusting the letter.”
Trump added: “These tariffs may be adjusted—either up or down—depending on our relationship with your country.” Each letter ended with the phrase: “You will never be disappointed by the United States of America.”
📝 Agreements in the Works, but No Major Deals Yet
Trump’s team previously promised 90 trade deals in 90 days after announcing the reciprocal tariff suspension. So far, only vague frameworks with the UK, Vietnam, and a pending deal with China have been mentioned.
For example, the Vietnam deal includes:
🔹 A 20% tariff on Vietnamese exports to the U.S.
🔹 40% tariffs on goods rerouted through Vietnam
🔹 U.S. exporters gain duty-free access to Vietnamese markets
⚖️ Legal Hurdles Remain
One major legal issue still looms: In May, a U.S. federal district court ruled that Trump lacks the legal authority to impose broad tariffs under the emergency powers law he cited.
That ruling threatened the entire framework. However, Trump’s administration appealed, and a federal appeals court allowed the tariffs to remain in place while the appeal is pending.
#TRUMP , #Tariffs , #TradeWars , #globaleconomy , #Geopolitics
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