Trump To Send "Take It or Leave It" Tariff Letters To 12 Nations On Monday

US President Donald Trump announced he had signed letters to 12 countries, detailing the various tariff levels on goods they export to the United States, reported The Hindu.

These "take it or leave it" offers will go out on Monday (7 July). Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, declined to name the countries, stating the administration would make this information public on Monday.

Earlier on Thursday (3 July), Trump told reporters he expected a first batch of letters to go out on Friday (4 July), but the date shifted.

Trump signed a "Big, Beautiful Bill", a tax-cut and spending law, on US Independence Day.

In April, he announced a 10 per cent base tariff rate and additional amounts for most countries, some reaching 50 per cent.

However, the administration suspended all but the 10 per cent base rate for 90 days, allowing more time for negotiations.

That period ends on 9 July.

Trump stated on Friday (4 July) that tariffs could increase to 70 per cent, with most taking effect 1 August.

"I signed some letters and they'll go out on Monday, probably twelve," Trump said. "Different amounts of money, different amounts of tariffs."

He further explained late on Friday, "The letters are better... much easier to send a letter."

Trump and his top aides initially planned negotiations with many countries on tariff rates, but the US president soured on that process after setbacks with major trading partners like Japan and the European Union.

He did not address his prediction that broader trade agreements could be reached before the 9 July deadline.

This strategic shift reflects the challenges in completing trade agreements, particularly on an accelerated timeline, as most past agreements have taken years.

So far, the US has finalised deals with Britain, which maintains a 10 per cent rate and receives preferential treatment in certain sectors, and Vietnam, whose tariffs on many goods dropped to 20 per cent from a threatened 46 per cent. Many US products will enter Vietnam duty-free.

A deal with India has not materialised. Additionally, EU diplomats reported on Friday that they failed to achieve a breakthrough in trade negotiations with the Trump administration; they may now seek to extend the status quo to avoid tariff hikes.

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