President Donald Trump has postponed the implementation of steeper tariffs on U.S. imports, providing a temporary reprieve for global trade partners, but he simultaneously unveiled new tariff rates targeting 14 countries—including Japan, South Korea, and Bangladesh.

The deferral comes as a 90-day suspension on certain aggressive trade duties nears expiration. Though the increased tariffs were set to take effect on July 9, the president has now shifted the deadline to August 1. Trump confirmed the new date is “firm but not 100% firm,” suggesting openness to continued negotiations.

Despite the delay, Trump reiterated his threat of a 25% tariff on goods from Japan and South Korea, and introduced a sliding scale of new tariffs: 40% on imports from Myanmar and Laos, 36% on Thailand and Cambodia, and 35% on Bangladesh and Serbia, among others.

Trade experts say the move follows a familiar negotiation strategy. Economist Adam Ahmad Samdin of Oxford Economics noted such trade deals are “extremely detailed,” often taking years to finalize. Vietnam and the U.K. remain the only nations to have reached preliminary frameworks with the U.S. so far.

The letters to world leaders—made public via Trump’s social media—warn that tariff rates may shift “upward or downward” depending on each country’s economic relationship with the U.S.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed regret over the expanded tariffs and committed to further talks. South Korea and Thailand echoed similar sentiments, aiming for resolution before the new August deadline.

Analysts like OCBC Bank’s Vasu Menon believe Trump’s actions may be strategic posturing to push partners toward deals rather than ignite full-scale trade battles.

Still, the uncertainty rattled markets: U.S. indexes dipped, and Toyota’s American shares fell by 4%.

Source: BBC

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