Trump to Send Tariff Letters to Countries Starting 1 a.m. KST on July 8

Warning to BRICS:
"An Additional 10% Tariff for Aligning with Anti-American Policies"

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that, starting at 1:00 a.m. KST on July 8, he would send letters to trade partner countries specifying reciprocal tariff rates.

AFP Yonhap News

On the night of July 6 (local time), President Trump stated via the social networking service Truth Social, "I am pleased to begin sending tariff letters or agreements regarding various countries around the world starting at 12:00 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Time) on Monday, July 7."

Previously, he had said he would send letters to trade partners listing the tariff rates on their exports to the U.S. or finalize negotiations, aiming to conclude trade talks by July 9. This move is interpreted as a strategy to increase pressure on major trading partners who are still negotiating, just two days before the deadline for the reciprocal tariff suspension.

It has not been disclosed whether the letters President Trump plans to send will include only itemized tariffs or also address broader negotiation topics. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant stated in an interview with CNN that President Trump would send a letter warning, "If negotiations do not progress, tariff levels will revert to those of April 2?the date when the initial reciprocal tariff rates were announced?on August 1."

In addition, President Trump issued another warning to BRICS, the coalition of non-Western emerging economies that has been opposing U.S. trade policy. He said, "All countries that align with BRICS's anti-American policies will face an additional 10% tariff," emphasizing, "There will be no exceptions to this policy."

BRICS is an alliance established by Russia, China, Brazil, India, and South Africa to promote economic cooperation among emerging economies. Currently holding a summit in Brazil, BRICS strongly criticized the U.S. for its strike on Iran's nuclear facilities and its broad tariff policies during the meeting. President Trump has strongly opposed moves led by BRICS to challenge the dollar's dominance and to establish a new economic bloc.