Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, Jun 30: In a significant policy signal, US President Donald Trump has said that his administration is unlikely to extend the 90-day pause on tariffs, which is set to expire on July 9, and would instead opt to send formal letters to countries, detailing the trade penalties they could face unless they strike favourable deals with the United States.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Trump stated, "I don't think I'll need to [extend the pause]... there's no big deal." Reiterating his preference for a more direct approach, the Republican leader said, "I'm gonna send letters. That's the end of the trade deal."
Trump clarified that these letters would lay out the tariff structure, which could range from 20 to 50 percent, depending on each country's trade relationship and deficit with the US. "You're gonna pay a 25 per cent tariff, or 20 per cent or 40 or 50 per cent. I would rather do that," he said, adding that these decisions would be based on trade data and how fairly the countries treated the United States.
He also dismissed the need for drawn-out negotiations in some cases, saying, “Some countries, we don't care... we'll just send a high number out... No, we don't have to meet. We understand. We have all the numbers.”
In a hypothetical example, Trump said, "I could send one to Japan. ‘Dear Mr. Japan, here's the story: you're going to pay a 25 per cent tariff on your cars.'"
The comments come as the administration's self-imposed 90-day negotiating period approaches its deadline. Initially aimed at securing 90 trade agreements in 90 days, the target now appears overly ambitious, with Trump acknowledging that “There are 200 countries, you can't talk to all of them.”
Meanwhile, India is among the key nations affected by the looming tariff escalation. According to a Bloomberg report, India’s trade delegation has extended its stay in Washington to bridge gaps in ongoing talks. Last week, Trump had hinted at progress, saying a “very big deal” with India was likely soon, even as both sides hold firm on their negotiating positions.
As the July 9 deadline nears, global markets and trade partners are watching closely, with the possibility of a return to aggressive US trade tariffs now seeming more likely than a diplomatic extension.