US Tariffs Postponed to August 1 as Global Trade Negotiations Gain Urgency

The United States has decided to delay the start of its sweeping tariffs until August 1, giving trading partners a brief window to strike deals before higher duties take effect. Originally, the tariffs were scheduled to begin on July 9. The decision comes as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on countries that have yet to finalize trade agreements with Washington.

Speaking to reporters, President Trump explained that notifying countries in writing about the new tariffs was far simpler than holding multiple detailed negotiations. “This is what you have to pay if you want to do business with the United States,” he said, emphasizing his preference for a more straightforward approach.

In April, the administration announced a base tariff of 10 percent on most imports, with the possibility of additional duties reaching up to 50 percent. Since then, the US has successfully concluded agreements with the United Kingdom and Vietnam. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that more deals could be announced soon.

Trump believes most countries will finalize their arrangements by the new deadline. He stated that notification letters warning of impending tariff hikes were already going out, with more expected to follow in the coming days. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that if talks stall, tariffs will automatically revert to the earlier, higher levels announced on April 2. “I think we’re going to see a lot of deals very quickly,” Bessent told CNN.

One of the most complex negotiations has been with India. A high-level Indian delegation led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal recently returned from Washington without resolving key differences over agricultural and dairy trade areas, where the US is pushing for greater access.

The stakes are even higher for countries aligned with BRICS, the economic bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. President Trump has warned that nations supporting what he described as anti-American policies of BRICS will face an extra 10 percent tariff on their exports to the US.

As the new deadline approaches, businesses and governments alike are bracing for the impact. With letters of notification now circulating, many countries are under intense pressure to reach agreements before August 1 or risk steep new costs for accessing the American market.