Trump’s Bold Move to Send Tariff Letters Sparks Global Trade Concerns

US President Donald Trump has announced a new approach to his ongoing trade disputes, saying he would prefer to send countries formal letters outlining the tariffs they will face rather than extend the current July 9 deadline on the pause of his “reciprocal tariffs.” This announcement, made during a recent Fox News interview, has raised concerns about the future of international trade and the risks posed by the US’s tough trade policies.

In the interview, Trump explained that these letters would clearly state the tariff rates ranging from 20 to 50 percent based on the US trade deficits with each country and how well those countries treat American businesses. He gave an example aimed at Japan: “Dear Mr. Japan, here’s the story: you’re going to pay a 25 percent tariff on your cars.” According to Trump, this direct method could replace lengthy negotiations in some cases.

Trade experts warn that this approach reflects the US administration’s strategy to apply maximum pressure on trading partners before the July 9 deadline, hoping to gain more favorable trade terms. Zhou Mi, a senior researcher at China’s Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times that while the US aims for short-term gains, this tactic could disrupt global trade and create economic instability.

Tensions are already rising. Trump recently ended trade talks with Canada over its digital services tax and threatened new tariffs. Canada responded by removing the tax on major tech companies such as Meta and Alphabet to try to resume negotiations. Meanwhile, the US is reportedly close to agreements with Indonesia and is in talks with Vietnam, South Korea, and India.

The impact of these tariffs is visible in the US economy, which contracted for the first time in three years in the first quarter partly due to trade tensions and increased costs on imports. China’s Ministry of Commerce criticized the US tariffs as “unilateral bullying” that harms the global trading system, urging fair negotiations and warning against deals that compromise China’s interests.

As the July 9 deadline approaches, Trump’s plan to send tariff letters raises important questions: Will this firm approach push countries to make concessions, or will it cause further disruptions and higher costs worldwide? The coming weeks will be critical for the future of international trade and economic relations.