Are US Tariffs Now Scheduled to Start on August 1 as Trade Talks Heat Up?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- US tariffs now delayed until August 1.
- Intensified trade negotiations with countries like India.
- Initial tariff set at 10 percent, with potential hikes.
- Countries aligning with BRICS face additional tariffs.
- Trade deals with UK and Vietnam already established.
New Delhi/Washington, July 7 (NationPress) The country-specific tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump are now set to commence on August 1, providing a brief pause as discussions ramp up with various nations, including India.
Previously, these tariffs were due to start on July 9.
On Sunday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick revealed this delay while addressing the press. He emphasized that President Trump was actively “determining the rates and agreements at this moment”.
Trump stated to the media, “I believe we’ll finalize arrangements with most countries by July 9, through either letters or finalized agreements,” and mentioned that notification letters regarding impending tariff increases would be dispatched starting Monday (US time), with further notices anticipated on Tuesday.
He remarked that sending these notifications would be more straightforward than “negotiating 15 different matters…this is the cost you must incur if you wish to engage in business with the United States.”
In April, Trump had declared an initial tariff of 10 percent on the majority of America’s trading partners, with supplementary duties soaring up to 50 percent.
The US has successfully negotiated trade agreements with the United Kingdom and Vietnam, while additional deals are reportedly in the works.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent informed CNN that “President Trump will be notifying some of our trading partners that if they do not expedite negotiations, then on August 1 they will revert back to their April 2 tariff levels. Hence, we expect to witness a flurry of agreements very soon.”
India’s senior official delegation, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, has recently returned from Washington following trade discussions with US representatives, but they did not reach a conclusive agreement regarding the contentious matter of trade in agricultural and dairy products that the US is advocating for.
Additionally, Trump has declared that an added 10 percent tariff will be levied on nations that “align themselves with the anti-American policies of BRICS.”