Is the US Preparing to Notify Trade Partners About Upcoming Tariff Increases?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The US will notify trading partners of new tariffs starting August 1.
- Tariff rates will range between 10% to 70%.
- Negotiations with India are ongoing to finalize a bilateral trade agreement.
- The July 9 deadline is crucial for concluding trade deals.
- The US aims for broader market access for agricultural products.
New Delhi, July 4 (NationPress) President Donald Trump has revealed that the US administration is set to begin dispatching letters to its trading partners detailing their tariff rates starting this Friday. This move comes as negotiations with countries, including India, to avert heightened US tariffs approach a critical phase.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Trump indicated that approximately 10 to 12 nations would receive these letters on Friday, with additional communications expected in the following days.
The proposed tariffs will range from 60% to 70% and 10% to 20%, which these nations will need to pay to conduct business with the US from August 1.
Trump emphasized, “My preference is to send out a letter outlining the tariffs that countries will incur. With over 170 nations involved, how many agreements can be made? While good deals are possible, they are significantly more complex.”
He further remarked, “I would favor a straightforward agreement that is easy to maintain and manage. Countries will face a 20% or 30% tariff, and we will commence sending out letters starting tomorrow, potentially reaching about 10 a day to various countries, detailing their respective fees for doing business with the US.”
Previously, Trump has announced various trade arrangements, including those with Vietnam and China. He mentioned last month that the US and India “might finalize an agreement that could open Indian markets to US goods.”
This announcement precedes the July 9 deadline established by the Trump administration to finalize agreements with specific countries after the announcement of reciprocal tariffs. A 90-day pause was implemented to facilitate trade discussions, during which a lower tariff rate of 10% was maintained for most nations to allow negotiations until July 9.
India's delegation, led by Special Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, is currently in Washington for high-level discussions aiming to finalize the bilateral trade agreement.
Both Indian and US negotiators are working to conclude an interim trade deal ahead of the July 9 deadline, which has been set by President Trump for the 90-day pause on new tariffs intended for Indian products.
Further negotiations are anticipated post-deadline for a more comprehensive trade agreement expected to be signed in September-October.
The US is pursuing broader market access for its agricultural and dairy products, which poses a significant challenge as this is a crucial livelihood issue for India's small farmers, making it a sensitive topic.