Trump to start notifying countries of new tariff rates ahead of July 9 deadline

President Donald Trump announced Friday he will start notifying countries about new “reciprocal” tariff rates as high as 70% if no deals are signed before a July 9 deadline. 

The American president granted a 90-day pause in the implementation of his “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariffs on April 9, giving countries a chance to negotiate trade agreements with the United States in order to stave off steep duty increases. 

However, Trump has only inked an official deal with the United Kingdom. The president also said this week that his administration has also come to an agreement with Vietnam. Others, including the European Union, are optimistic that agreements can be reached before the July 9 deadline. Other countries, like America’s close ally and trading partner like Japan, are finding it more difficult to come to a deal. 

Trump told the press at Joint Base Andrews early Friday morning that his administration would begin sending letters to 10 to 12 nations a day informing them of the planned tariff rates—which are intended to go into effect on August 1. 

“They’ll range in value from maybe 60% or 70% tariffs to 10% and 20% tariffs, but they’re going to be starting to go out sometime tomorrow,” Trump said. “We’ve done the final form, and it’s basically going to explain what the countries are going to be paying in tariffs.”