Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he has signed letters to 12 unnamed countries warning them of new tariff measures under his administration’s revised trade strategy.
The letters, which Trump called “take it or leave it,” are expected to be dispatched on Monday, just ahead of the July 9 expiration of a 90-day pause on retaliatory tariffs.
Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to New Jersey for Independence Day celebrations, Trump told reporters: “I signed some letters — probably twelve. Different countries, different amounts of tariffs.” He declined to disclose which nations are on the list.
The move follows Trump’s earlier April announcement of a baseline 10% tariff on most U.S. imports, with the possibility of rates escalating to 50% for certain countries. While the U.S. had put these higher tariffs on hold to allow for negotiations, that suspension ends next week.
Trade talks with several nations remain fluid. In India’s case, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently reiterated that India will not rush into a trade deal based on external timelines and will negotiate on its own terms. Indian officials returned from Washington recently after high-level discussions, with sources suggesting a deal could be imminent.
Trump’s administration has already struck trade pacts with the United Kingdom and Vietnam, while temporary tariff reductions have been agreed with China. However, U.S.-Japan trade negotiations appear to be faltering. Trump commented earlier this week, “I doubt it with Japan… They and others are so spoiled from ripping us off for 30 or 40 years, it’s hard for them to make a deal.”
As the tariff clock ticks down, global markets are bracing for impact, with affected nations expected to respond swiftly to Washington’s hardline trade stance.
