Donald Trump delays tariff deadline to 1 August

Tuesday, 8 July 2025 03:55 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

US President Donald Trump

The US is close to finalising several trade pacts in the coming days and will notify other countries of higher tariff rates by 9 July, US President Donald Trump said last week, with the higher rates set to take effect on 1 August.

Since taking office, Trump has set off a global trade war that has roiled financial markets and sent policymakers scrambling to protect their economies through efforts such as deals with the US and other countries.

In April, Trump unveiled a base tariff rate of 10% on most countries and additional duties ranging up to 50%, although he later delayed the effective date for all but 10% until 9 July. The new date offers countries a three-week reprieve.

Trump, whose remarks to reporters came just before his return to Washington from a weekend golfing in New Jersey, had flagged the 1 August date earlier, but it was unclear if all tariffs would increase then.

Asked to clarify, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters the higher tariffs would take effect on 1 August, but Trump was “setting the rates and the deals right now.”

In a posting on his Truth Social website, Trump later said the US would start delivering tariff letters from 12 p.m. ET (1600 GMT) yesterday.