US President Donald Trump yesterday began telling trade partners — from powerhouse suppliers like Japan and South Korea to minor players — that sharply higher US tariffs would start August 1, marking a new phase in the trade war he launched earlier this year.
The imposition of the 25% levy on US importers of all goods from key allies Japan and South Korea rattled Wall Street, with the S&P 500 Index, knocked back sharply, though markets in Asia were taking the latest news in stride.
The 14 countries sent letters so far, which included smaller US exporters like Serbia, Thailand and Tunisia, hinted at opportunities for additional negotiations while at the same time warning that any reprisal steps would be met with a like-for-like response.
Photo: Reuters
"If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 25% that we charge," Trump said in letters, released on his Truth Social platform, to Japan and South Korea.
The higher tariffs take effect August 1, and notably would not combine with previously announced sector tariffs such as those on automobiles and steel and aluminum.
That means, for instance, that Japanese vehicle tariffs would remain at 25%, rather than the existing 25% auto sector tariff climbing to 50% with the new reciprocal rate as has occurred with some of Trump's tariffs.
The clock has been ticking for countries to conclude deals with the US after Trump unleashed a global trade war in April that has roiled financial markets and sent policymakers scrambling to protect their economies.
Trading partners got another reprieve as Trump signed an executive order yesterday extending tomorrow's deadline for negotiations to August 1.
Asked if the deadline was firm, Trump said: "I would say firm, but not 100% firm. If they call up and they say we'd like to do something a different way, we're going to be open to that."
Trump has kept much of the world guessing on the outcome of months of talks with countries hoping to avoid the hefty tariff hikes he has threatened.
The rate for South Korea is the same as Trump initially announced, while the rate for Japan is 1 point higher than the one announced on April 2. A week later, he capped all of the so-called reciprocal tariffs at 10% until tomorrow. Only two agreements have so far been reached, with Britain and Vietnam, while Washington and Beijing last month agreed on a framework covering tariff rates.
Wendy Cutler, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, said it was unfortunate that Trump was hiking tariffs on imports from two of the closest US allies, but there was still time for a breakthrough in negotiations.
"While the news is disappointing, it does not mean the game is over," Cutler said.
Trump said that the United States would impose 25% tariffs on goods from Tunisia, Malaysia and Kazakhstan; 30% on South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina; 32% on Indonesia; 35% on Serbia and Bangladesh; 36% on Cambodia and Thailand and 40% on Laos and Myanmar.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said today that some progress had been made on avoiding higher tariffs of up to 35% that Trump had suggested recently.
"We have received a proposal from the United States to swiftly proceed with negotiations towards the newly set August 1 deadline, and that depending on Japan's response, the content of the letter could be revised," Ishiba told a meeting with cabinet ministers to discuss Japan's strategy on the tariffs.
South Korea said it planned to intensify US trade talks and considers Trump's latest plan as effectively extending a grace period on implementing reciprocal tariffs.
"We will step up negotiations during the remaining period to reach a mutually beneficial result to quickly resolve the uncertainties from tariffs," the country's industry ministry said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the 30% US tariff rate was unjustified given that 77% of US goods enter South Africa with no tariffs. Ramaphosa's spokesperson said his government would continue to engage with the US.
US stocks fell in response, the latest market turmoil as Trump's trade moves have whipsawed financial markets and sent policymakers scrambling to protect their economies.
US stocks were driven to near bear-market territory by his cascade of tariff announcements through the early spring but quickly rebounded to record highs after he put the stiffest levies on hold on April 9.
The S&P 500 closed down by about 0.8%. US-listed shares of Japanese automotive companies fell, with Toyota Motor closing down 4% and Honda Motor off by 3.9%. The US dollar surged against both the Japanese yen and the South Korean won.
"Tariff talk has sucked the wind out of the sails of the market," said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management. Most of the announced tariff rates have been rounded down, he added, and the letters come across as "take it or leave it" offers.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier yesterday he expected several trade announcements in the next 48 hours, adding that his inbox was full of countries' last-ditch offers.
The European Union would not be receiving a letter setting out higher tariffs, EU sources familiar with the matter told Reuters yesterday.
The EU still aims to reach a trade deal by tomorrow after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump had a "good exchange," a commission spokesperson said.
The EU has been torn over whether to push for a quick and light trade deal or leverage its economic clout to negotiate a better outcome. It had already given up hopes for a comprehensive trade agreement before the July deadline.
The president also threatened leaders of developing nations in the BRICS group, who met in Brazil from Sunday to yesterday, with an additional 10% tariff if they adopt "anti-American" policies.
The group includes Brazil, Russia, India and China among others.
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