Trump imposes tariffs on 7 nations starting August 1
3 Min Read
US President Donald Trump has announced new import tariffs ranging from 20% to 30% on goods from seven countries, claiming the need to correct trade imbalances.
-
US President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States will impose tariffs of 20-30% on goods imported from seven countries, a move set to take effect on August 1.
According to letters shared by Trump on Truth Social, the Philippines will be subject to 20% tariffs and Brunei and Moldova will face 25% duties, while Sri Lanka, Iraq, Algeria, and Libya will be hit with higher rates of 30%.
In separate messages to the leaders of those countries, Trump stated, "We have decided to move forward with you, but only with more balanced, and fair, TRADE," while also explaining that the tariff levels are "far less than what is needed to eliminate the Trade Deficit disparity we have with your Country."
Trump warned that any goods transshipped to circumvent the higher tariffs would still be subject to those increased rates while also cautioning the leaders that if their countries implemented any tariff hikes of their own, those increases would be added on top of the existing US rates.
In the letters, Trump stated that the tariffs were "necessary to correct" what he described as years of unbalanced tariffs and non-tariff policies, along with trade barriers that had resulted in what he called "these unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States."
Trump expands his tariffs
Previously, US President Trump announced on July 7 that his administration is expanding the reach of his tariffs, sending formal letters to over a dozen countries cautioning them of significant penalties unless bilateral trade agreements are reached before August 1.
In letters published on Trump's Truth Social account Monday night, which reiterated his administration's pursuit of what he terms "balanced" and "fair" trade, each message detailed country-specific tariffs set to take effect next month while leaving room for potential negotiations should foreign leaders be prepared to offer concessions.
"Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal," Trump's letter, shared to multiple countries, read. "We invite you to participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States," he said, adding, "but only with more balanced, and fair, TRADE."
US tariffs have hawk eyes on BRICS alliance
On July 6, US President Donald Trump declared that countries choosing to align themselves with what he described as "the anti-American policies of BRICS" would be subject to "an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff," making clear that this policy would apply without exception.
Trump did not provide further details, but his comments came after the 11-member BRICS bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, and China, released a statement expressing deep concern about the growing use of unilateral trade restrictions.
