US President Donald Trump announced on Monday his decision to impose tariffs of at least 25% on imports from several countries, including Japan and South Korea, sharing letters addressed to the leaders of these countries via Truth Social.
The new tariffs will be imposed "as of August 1," Trump said, warning Tokyo and Seoul that if they impose retaliatory tariffs, the figure they announce will be added to the 25% he announced.
It also announced tariffs of 25% on imports from Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Tunisia. Tariffs will be higher on imports from South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina (30%), Indonesia (32%), Bangladesh and Serbia (35%), Thailand and Cambodia (36%), Laos and Myanmar (40%).
White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt said President Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Monday.
Donald Trump also threatened the BRICS member states with additional 10% tariffs if they adopt anti-American policies, after they criticized his tariff policy.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, host of the BRICS summit, commented that it is “not a serious action” for the President of a country like the United States to threaten the world with tariffs through posts on social media platforms. “If the United States imposes tariffs, other countries have the right to do the same,” he added.
The European Union is not expected to receive a letter imposing additional tariffs, well-informed sources in Brussels told Reuters on Monday. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin expressed optimism about the prospect of reaching a trade deal between the EU and the United States this week, following a telephone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
