#TrumpTariffs In essence, these letters are a mechanism to unilaterally inform U.S. business partners about the tariff rates that Washington has decided to impose, often as a form of pressure to renegotiate trade agreements or to address what the Trump administration considers trade imbalances.
In summary, they mean that:
* New tariffs: The United States is imposing new taxes on imports from certain countries.
* "Reciprocal" tariffs: Trump has expressed his intention to impose "reciprocal" tariffs, meaning they seek to match the rates that other countries apply to American products. However, in practice, tariffs can vary widely (from 10% to 70% or more) and are applied based on criteria that the administration deems relevant.
* Pressure for agreements: These letters are part of a strategy to force countries to negotiate new trade agreements that are more favorable to the United States, or to address specific concerns such as "dumping" or unfair trade practices.
* "Anti-American" policies: Recently, Trump has warned that any country that aligns with the "anti-American" policies of blocs like the BRICS could face an additional 10% tariff.
* Effective dates: It has been announced that these tariffs, notified by letter, would begin to be charged starting August 1, 2025, unless agreements are reached before a deadline (such as July 9).
These actions are part of Donald Trump's "America First" trade policy, which seeks to protect domestic industry and reduce trade deficits.