US President Donald Trump on Monday released letters sent by his administration to various trading partners informing them of the reciprocal tariff rates that will be effective from August 1, 2025. The first two letters posted by Trump on social media platform Truth Social revealed that US will be imposing a tariff rate of 25% on Japan and South Korea.In the last few days, Trump had declared his intention to dispatch tariff letters to multiple countries, ahead of the approaching deadline for trading associates to conclude negotiations. On Sunday, Trump indicated he would issue up to 15 initial letters, cautioning that US import duties would revert to the elevated rates he established in April if nations do not secure agreements.
What Donald Trump’s Tariff Letters Say
In similarly phrased correspondence to Japan’s and South Korea’s heads of state, Trump announced the implementation of tariffs beginning August 1, citing that their trade relations with Washington were “unfortunately, far from Reciprocal.”In his letter to Japan Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, Trump said, “Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge Japan a tariff of only 25% on any and all Japanese products sent into the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs. Goods transhipped to evade a higher tariff will be subject to that higher tariff.”The letters also cautioned Japan and South Korea against reciprocal tariff increases, with the Trump administration threatening to impose additional import duties that could adversely affect their automotive and electronics industries. Both nations are vital US allies in counterbalancing China’s regional power.“If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 25% that we charge,” Trump wrote in the letters to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.However, Trump indicated his willingness to reduce these tariffs if both Japan and South Korea revised their trade policies.During a Sunday statement, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba declared that he “won’t easily compromise” whilst negotiating trade terms with Washington.On April 2, which he dubbed “Liberation Day”, Trump introduced comprehensive tariffs, implementing a 10% duty on imports from nearly all trade partners. Several nations, including certain European Union members, were designated to face substantially higher rates.As financial markets declined, Trump suspended the tariffs for 90 days to facilitate negotiations – a period that ends on Wednesday. The outcomes have been modest thus far, with Washington securing agreements solely with Britain and Vietnam, whilst reaching a temporary arrangement with China to reduce the exceptionally high duties on their respective products.Trump indicated to journalists while boarding Air Force One on Sunday that he would dispatch between “12, could be 15” letters the following day.“I am pleased to announce that the UNITED STATES TARIFF Letters, and/or Deals, with various Countries from around the World, will be delivered starting 12:00 P.M. (Eastern), Monday, July 7th,” Trump posted on his Truth Social network.In a subsequent message, he issued a warning about imposing an additional 10%t tariff on nations associating with the rising BRICS bloc, charging them with “anti-Americanism” following their criticism of his tariffs during a Sunday summit.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had earlier said that the reciprocal duties would not be effective until August 1, allowing additional time for negotiations on an issue that has created instability in worldwide markets.Trump stated that by July 9, most nations would receive either correspondence or finalise agreements, noting that some arrangements were already concluded.US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, accompanying Trump, confirmed the implementation of tariffs on August 1, whilst rejecting suggestions that this represented a deadline extension. “The President is setting the rates and the deals right now.”“It’s not a new deadline. We are saying, this is when it’s happening. If you want to speed things up, have at it. If you want to go back to the old rate, that’s your choice,” he said.
