To secure trade agreements or to exert pressure for additional time rushed their main commercial partners USA The weekend (5 – 6.7.25), as President Donald Trump said he will notify about twelve countries tomorrow (7.7.25) to the new level dictatorial in their missions to the US.
“We will be very busy in the next 72 hours,” US Finance Minister Scott Besed said today (6.7.25) on CNN’s “State of the Union” show, referring to the remaining time before the government’s deadline on July 9. Trump told reporters over the weekend that he “signed some letters and will be sent on Monday – probably 12” initially. He refused to name them, saying that the instructions include “different money, different amounts of duties and somewhat different statements”.
Bessed said that several large agreements are close to, although countries receiving letters will see their exports to deal with the most extreme US duties – some reach 50% among more than 50 economies targeted on April 2 – from August 1, 2025. Trump officials have been saying for weeks that the conclusion of multiple agreements is being raised, but only a limited framework with the United Kingdom, a truce with China and Trump’s brief outline of Trump with Vietnam have been announced.
The latest comments by Trump and Bessed suggest that the talks remain fluid and the agreements are fruitless three days before the deadline. The finance minister said Washington is putting on the highest pressure on commercial partners and that “very good progress” has been made in its discussions with the European Union – a block of 27 nations that represents almost one fifth of the total USA of the US.
Initially, the letters had to be sent on July 4 with a duty date on August 1, 2025, based on previous Trump comments. However, US officials were busy with negotiations during the festive weekend due to the US national anniversary, including negotiations with Japan, South Korea, the EU, India and Vietnam.
One of Trump’s characteristic moves in the conclusion of agreements is the unilateral threat when the negotiations reach critical stages, so it is not clear whether the letters he describes are real or merely intended to sow fear for commercial partners who still hesitate to offer concessions.
After Trump announced an agreement with Vietnam last week, the country’s foreign ministry said the negotiators were still tuing with their US counterparts to finalize the details.
While also expected to reach a temporary agreement with India, New Delhi officials have marked a tougher stance in recent days, threatening duties on some US products in retaliation for Washington’s higher duties in cars and components.
Seeks extension
South Korea is also worried about duties on cars, which has discussed with US officials to extend the deadline to a lasting attempt to avoid higher duties.
Enjoying an important legislative victory last week and with the US brokerage market at record levels, Trump’s latest commercial obstacles are in danger of rekindling investors’ concerns about a wide and complex new customs duties that should be paid.
The initial implementation of Trump’s so -called mutual duties on April 2 triggered fears of recession in the US and led markets to fall. This gave way to a freezing of these factors at 10% for 90 days until July 9th.
In addition to the additional costs created by customs duties for US companies buying goods from abroad, domestic exporters face the possibility of retaliation from economies, including the EU.
EU Member States were informed of the situation of the negotiations on Friday after a round of talks in Washington last week and were told that a technical agreement was first close, Bloomberg News said earlier.
Japan’s attitude
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said the country was prepared for all possible duty scenarios. Speaking on Fuji TV’s Sunday News the Prime show, he said Japan – another major car producer trying to avoid Trump’s duties – is ready to “stand firm” and defend its interests, anticipating any possible situation.
The Cambodian government said in a statement on Friday that it has agreed with the US to a framework agreement that will be made public soon, with the promise of continuing to work closely. At 49%, the endangered Cambodian mutual duty was one of the highest of Trump. The nation of Southeast Asia is an important exporter of textile products and footwear in the US.
Last week, Indonesia showed its belief that it is close to securing a “bold” trade agreement with the US covering critical minerals, energy, defensive cooperation and market access before the forthcoming duties for duties, according to its country’s leader.