U.S. President Donald Trump has flipped the trade script again. Speaking from Air Force One, he revealed a bold new move: letters are being sent to 12 countries, warning them of new tariffs on their exports to America.
Trump refused to name the countries. But he was clear—the wait is over. These nations will know their fate once the letters are out on Monday.
This marks a big shift in strategy. Until now, Trump’s team had been trying to negotiate separate trade deals with various countries. But many talks, especially with the EU, Japan, and India, have failed. Trump is done talking.
“The letters are better… much easier to send a letter,” he said.
The mood is clear. It’s a “take it or leave it” moment.
What Changed?
Back in April, Trump rolled out a base tariff of 10% on most countries. He gave them 90 days to work out better terms—until July 9. That window is about to shut. And instead of just 10%, Trump is now hinting at tariffs going up to 70% on some goods.
Friday was a U.S. holiday, so the letters got delayed. But Monday is D-Day.
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Who’s at Risk?
While Trump won’t name the 12 countries, it’s clear India, Japan, and the EU are in the mix. Talks with them have stalled. So far, only Vietnam and the U.K. have made deals:
- U.K. secured a 10% base rate with perks for cars and aircraft parts.
- Vietnam got a better deal too—tariffs cut from 46% to 20%, in exchange for opening up to U.S. goods.
Everyone else? They’re bracing.
Why This Matters
Trade deals are messy. They take years. Trump doesn’t want to wait. This new strategy cuts straight to the point.
But there’s a catch: global markets don’t like surprises. Stocks are shaky. Allies are nervous. Even U.S. businesses worry about price hikes and retaliation.
One European official told reporters Friday: “We might just stick to the current rules. The U.S. threats won’t work.”
This isn’t just about money. It’s about how Trump sees power—fast, bold, and unapologetic. He’s betting that these countries will blink first. That they’ll fold once the letters land.
But will they?
The world finds out on Monday.
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