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Trump To Unleash Tariff Shockwave: Surprise Letters To Hit Global Trade Partners

President Trump is set to notify global trade partners of new unilateral tariffs starting Friday, pressuring countries to finalize deals before a July 9 deadline, with major economies still negotiating.

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Trump To Unleash Tariff Shockwave: Surprise Letters To Hit Global Trade Partners

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday his administration is set to send letters to trading partners as soon as Friday to notify them of new unilateral tariff rates. This comes before a July 9 deadline for ongoing trade talks.

“We’re probably going to be sending some letters out, starting probably tomorrow, maybe 10 a day,” Trump told reporters before departing Washington for Iowa. The letters will outline what each country will be required to pay to continue doing business with the United States.

Trump first called for “reciprocal” tariffs on April 2, but granted a 90-day negotiation period in which a 10% tariff rate was imposed temporarily. Ahead of the deadline, Trump threatened that nations that do not seal agreements will be hit with higher duties.

So far, the US has completed trade deals with the United Kingdom and Vietnam, and has reached a temporary tariff cease-fire with China. But numerous major trading partners, including Japan, South Korea, and the European Union, remain under discussion.

Trump announced the Vietnam agreement on Wednesday, which puts a 20% tariff on overall Vietnamese exports and a 40% tariff on suspected transshipment of Chinese goods. While official documentation has not been released by the White House, the news helped push stock prices higher for American manufacturers based in Vietnam.

Trump signaled that certain other deals were nearing finalization but said it would be easier to simply levy tariffs than to keep negotiating. Trump also hit out at Japan, calling it a particularly difficult partner and floated tariffs of as much as 35%.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the decision on whether to roll over the deadline is up to the president, who is adamant about implementing his tariff proposal.

“Nations must bargain in good faith,” Bessent said Thursday.