WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Jul 8) that he would not extend an Aug 1 deadline for higher US tariffs to take effect on dozens of economies, a day after he appeared to signal flexibility on the date.
While Trump imposed a sweeping 10 per cent tariff on goods from almost all trading partners in April, higher rates customised to dozens of economies were unveiled, then halted until Jul 9.
But the president this week again delayed their reimposition, pushing it back to Aug 1.
Trump insisted that there would be no further delay in the tariffs. “There will be no change,” he posted on Truth Social.
He added that levies would start being paid on Aug 1, in line with letters now being sent out to trading partners.
“No extensions will be granted,” Trump said.
On Monday night, Trump had told reporters at a dinner that the Aug 1 deadline was “firm, but not 100 per cent firm.”
Pressed on whether the letters were his final offer, Trump replied: “I would say final – but if they call with a different offer, and I like it, then we’ll do it.”
In a push for further trade deals, Trump sent letters to more than a dozen partners on Monday, including key US allies Japan and South Korea.
Products from both countries would be hit with 25 per cent duties, Trump wrote in near-identical letters to leaders in Tokyo and Seoul.
Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, South Africa and Malaysia were among other countries facing duties ranging from 25 per cent to 40 per cent.
