Urges Active Negotiations Ahead of Reciprocal Tariffs on August 1
US President Donald Trump sent a message to the world's trading partners, urging them to make efforts to negotiate with the United States.
On July 11 (local time), before departing the White House to visit Kerrville County, Texas, which had suffered significant casualties due to heavy rains and flooding, President Trump met with reporters. When asked what advice he would give to countries ahead of the upcoming tariff deferral deadline, he replied, "Just keep working hard." Since July 8, President Trump has been sending letters to countries notifying them of reciprocal tariff rates, except for the United Kingdom and Vietnam, with whom trade negotiations have been completed. His remarks are interpreted as meaning that countries should strive to reach new trade agreements with the United States through negotiations until just before the tariff deferral deadline.
President Trump emphasized, "We have been taken advantage of by both friends and foes for a very long time," adding, "Frankly, in many cases, friends have been worse than foes." He continued, "So I just want to say, 'Keep working hard. Everything will work out.'" Regarding the letter sent to Brazil announcing a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports starting August 1, the White House press pool reported that President Trump said, "I will probably speak with (President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil) at some point."
He also reiterated his position regarding former President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, who is facing allegations of "coup plotting" in Brazil, stating, "They (Brazil) are treating (former) President Bolsonaro very unfairly." Regarding the letter sent to Canada imposing a 35% tariff, President Trump said, "I sent it yesterday, and they (Canada) called," adding, "It seems the letter was delivered properly."
President Trump also criticized Jerome Powell, Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, saying, "He has done a terrible job," and repeatedly called for a rate cut, stating, "It should be 3 percentage points lower." When reporters asked about Russia's drone attack that destroyed a maternity hospital in Ukraine, he said, "I am aware," and added, "You will see what happens." This is interpreted as once again emphasizing the need to strengthen sanctions against Russia.
Meanwhile, on April 2, President Trump notified South Korea that a 25% tariff would be imposed, the same rate as when the first reciprocal tariff was announced. The South Korean government has stated that it will refrain from an emotional response and will make every effort to negotiate with the United States by August 1.
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