US President Donald Trump on Monday (July 7) sent formal letters to a number of countries, including Japan and South Korea, announcing new tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% on imports, effective August 1. The move marks a renewed push to force new trade deals before an earlier-imposed July 9 deadline.
The letters cited “significant trade deficits” and warned of penalties for any retaliatory tariff hikes, stating such moves would be matched “on top of the 25%” rate. However, the letters also left room for negotiation, with Trump saying the US would “perhaps consider an adjustment” if trade barriers are removed.
3.09am
US to slap 30% tariff on Bosnian goods
Starting August 1, 2025, the US will impose a 30% tariff on all products imported from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The US cites a significant trade deficit and a “far from reciprocal” trade relationship as justification for the move. The letter urges Bosnia and Herzegovina to pursue more balanced and fair trade with the US.
Companies from Bosnia that choose to manufacture goods within the U.S. will be exempt from the tariff and receive fast-tracked approvals. If Bosnia increases its tariffs in response, the same percentage increase will be added to the 30% US tariff.
Goods rerouted through other countries to evade higher tariffs will still be taxed at the elevated rate. Bosnia is encouraged to participate more directly in the US economy, which Trump describes as the “Number One Market in the World.”
3.06am
Bangladesh hit with 35% tariff threat
The US will impose a 35% tariff on all Bangladeshi imports, starting August 1, 2025. Trump cited a longstanding and significant trade deficit and non-reciprocal trade practices by Bangladesh, including tariff and non-tariff barriers. The US seeks a more balanced and fair trading relationship, stating current terms are “far from reciprocal.” Trump invites Bangladeshi firms to manufacture in the US, promising quick, professional approvals for such investments — in “a matter of weeks.” If Bangladesh retaliates by raising its own tariffs, “whatever number you choose… will be added onto the 35%”. Goods rerouted through other countries to avoid the tariff will be charged the higher rate.
3.01 am
Serbian exports face 35% US duty
The United States will impose a 35% tariff on all Serbian imports starting August 1, 2025. These tariffs are separate from sector-specific tariffs. Trump cites a “significant and persistent trade deficit” with Serbia. The trade relationship is described as “far from reciprocal.” Serbian companies can avoid tariffs by building or manufacturing within the United States.
The US promises to process such business approvals quickly and routinely, within a matter of weeks. If Serbia increases its own tariffs in response, the US will add that increase on top of the 35% tariff. Goods transshipped through other countries to avoid the tariff will be subject to the higher tariff.
2.55am
Trump slaps Cambodia with 36% tariff threat
The United States will impose a 36% tariff on all Cambodian exports starting August 1, 2025. Trump cites a persistent trade deficit and non-reciprocal trade relationship caused by Cambodia’s tariff and non-tariff barriers. The 36% tariff applies separately from sector-specific tariffs and covers all Cambodian goods entering the US.
Products transshipped through third countries to avoid tariffs will still be subject to the higher applicable tariff. Cambodian firms that set up manufacturing in the US will face no tariffs, and the US will fast-track approvals for such ventures. If Cambodia raises its tariffs in response, the US will add that increase to the 36% base rate.
2.51am
US to impose 36% tariff on Thailand
A 36% tariff will be imposed on all Thai goods entering the United States starting August 1, 2025.
Trump cites a “significant trade deficit” and “non-reciprocal” trade policies as the basis for the new tariffs.
The tariffs are separate from all sectoral tariffs and apply to all Thai exports. Goods transshipped to avoid duties will be charged the highest applicable tariff.
The tariffs are separate from all sectoral tariffs and apply to all Thai exports. Goods transshipped to avoid duties will be charged the highest applicable tariff. Thai companies that build or manufacture products in the US will face no tariffs, with fast-track approvals promised.
If Thailand raises its own tariffs in response, the US will add the same increase on top of the 36% base tariff.
2.48am
US to impose 32% tariff on Indonesia
The United States will impose a 32% tariff on all Indonesian products entering the country. These tariffs will take effect on August 1, 2025. This tariff is independent of any sector-specific duties already in place.
Trump cited a “significant trade deficit” with Indonesia as the reason for the new tariffs. He said the US–Indonesia trade relationship has been “far from Reciprocal.”
2.43 am
Tunisia hit with 25% US tariff in Trump’s expanding trade offensive
Trump announced a 25% tariff on all Tunisian products entering the United States. The tariffs are set to take effect on August 1, 2025. This rate is separate from all sectoral tariffs.
Trump blamed Tunisia’s “Tariff and Non-Tariff Policies and Trade Barriers” for persistent trade deficits. He described the US–Tunisia trading relationship as “far from reciprocal.” The U.S. trade deficit with Tunisia was cited as a threat to U.S. economic and national security.
Trump offered Tunisia a chance to avoid tariffs if Tunisian firms build or manufacture products in the US. He said US authorities would fast-track approvals for such operations.
If Tunisia imposes retaliatory tariffs, the US would add that amount to the 25% base tariff. Goods transshipped to evade tariffs will be subject to the higher rate. If Tunisia opens its markets and removes trade barriers, the US may “consider an adjustment” to the tariff rate.
Trump threatens 25–40% tariffs on South Africa, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Kazakhstan
US President Donald Trump escalated his global trade offensive on Monday (July 7), issuing fresh tariff warning letters to five additional countries — South Africa, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, and Kazakhstan — after already targeting Japan and South Korea. The letters threaten new import duties ranging from 25% to 40% starting August 1, in a sweeping move to rebalance what he calls “decades of unfair trade”.
The letters — nearly identical in tone and content — warned of tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% on all goods exported from these countries to the United States. Trump cited long-standing trade deficits and “non-reciprocal” relationships as justification.
Tariffs to hit on August 1
Each letter outlined the specific tariff rate for the respective country:
South Africa: 30%
Malaysia: 25%
Kazakhstan: 25%
Myanmar: 40%
Laos: 40%
Trump stated that the US had “agreed to continue working” with each nation despite its “significant Trade Deficit” with the United States but stressed that “our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal.”
“We will charge you a Tariff…”
Trump emphasised that the proposed tariffs are separate from all sector-specific tariffs and could increase if the targeted nations retaliated. He warned that “goods transshipped to evade a higher Tariff will be subject to that higher Tariff.”
In each case, he offered a path to avoid the duties: if companies from the targeted countries choose to manufacture goods within the US, “there will be no Tariff,” and approvals for such moves would be “quickly, professionally, and routinely” granted.
Economic nationalism and security
Echoing language used in previous trade spats, Trump justified the new tariffs not just on economic grounds, but as a matter of national security. “This Deficit is a major threat to our Economy and, indeed, our National Security!” the letters declare.
The White House had previously postponed tariffs set to take effect on July 9, opting instead for this formal notification phase ahead of the new August 1 implementation date.
“Perhaps, consider an adjustment”
In a somewhat conciliatory tone, Trump left open the possibility of modifying the tariff rates: “If you wish to open your heretofore closed Trading Markets to the United States… we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter.”
He added that tariff levels “may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country.”
Trump slaps 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea
Trump earlier in the day announced new tariffs on imports from Japan and South Korea, escalating trade tensions with two of the United States’ closest allies. The 25% duty is set to take effect August 1, as Washington ramps up pressure to secure what it calls “reciprocal” trade relationships.
