U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order delaying the start date for new reciprocal tariffs from July 9 to August 1, while sending formal tariff notices to 14 countries including Japan and South Korea.
The extension comes as the 90-day pause on some import duties was set to expire this week. Trump said the new deadline was “firm, but not 100% firm,” adding he was open to talks if countries proposed alternative solutions.
The new letters outline a range of tariff rates. The White House confirmed 40% tariffs on goods from Myanmar and Laos, 36% on Thailand and Cambodia, 35% on Serbia and Bangladesh, 32% on Indonesia, 30% on South Africa, and 25% on Malaysia and Tunisia. Japan and South Korea face 25% rates if deals are not reached.
Trump’s move follows months of warnings that nations could face higher levies if they do not reach trade agreements with the U.S. He said the tariffs were designed to protect American industries and jobs, while giving U.S. exporters a fairer global playing field.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said more letters could follow. She denied that the delay weakened the president’s position, saying global leaders continue to request deals.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said his government would keep working to reach a fair agreement with the U.S. South Korea also said it would use the extension to continue negotiations. Thailand’s finance minister said his country hoped to secure a rate similar to other nations.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa criticized the new tariffs as a unilateral measure. Other countries have yet to issue formal responses.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said talks had accelerated, noting that many governments had submitted new proposals over the weekend.
Trump first announced steep tariffs in April, calling them “reciprocal” and necessary to respond to unfair trade practices. Since then, the administration has signed deals with the UK, Vietnam, and China, although many of those agreements increased tariffs compared to earlier levels and left some key issues unresolved.
Talks with India are reportedly close to finalizing a deal. The European Union is also in discussions, and the European Commission confirmed recent contact between Trump and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Trump recently warned Japan it could face tariffs of up to 35% if a deal is not reached by this week.
