U.S. steps up pressure on trading partners to make tariff deals by Wednesday
發佈日期: 2025-07-07 19:52
TVB News
The Trump administration is stepping up pressure on trading partners to quickly make deals before Wednesday's deadline that will see some countries start paying up to 50 percent in tariffs.
The July 9th deadline was set by U.S. President Donald Trump in April when he unveiled a base tariff rate of 10 percent on most countries and additional duties ranging up to 50 percent for others.
Washington will start sending letters today warning countries that higher tariffs could kick in on August 1st.
Tracey Furniss has more.
Uncertainty surrounds businesses, consumers and America's trading partners as questions remain about which countries will be notified about the tariffs and whether anything will change in the days ahead, and if President Donald Trump will once more push off imposing the rates.
U.S. President Donald Trump said:"We're sending letters out on Monday having to do with the trade deals. It could be 12, maybe 15. You know, Secretary of Commerce, right here, and I guess Howard, I would say, it could be maybe as many as 15 or so.
And they'll be going out on Monday, and some will go out on Tuesday and Wednesday. And we've made deals also, so we're going to have a combination of letters, and some deals have been made."
In a post on Truth Social, Trump called for countries "aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies" of the BRICS developing nations to be charged an extra 10 percent tariff, with no exceptions to be granted.
Trump has close ties with leaders of some of the BRICS countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE and has been touting the prospect of a trade deal with India for weeks.
It was not immediately clear if Trump's tariff threat would derail trade talks with India, Indonesia and other BRICS nations.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNN Sunday the Trump administration was focused on 18 important trading partners that account for 98 percent of the U.S. trade deficit.
But he said there had been "a lot of foot-dragged" among countries in finalising trade deals.
Thailand's finance minister told Bloomberg News that the country is keen to avert a 36 percent tariff and is now offering greater market access for U.S. farm and industrial goods and more purchases of U.S. energy and Boeing jets.
