Trump to Send “Tariff Letters” to Countries, Raising Customs Duties Up to 125%
US President Donald Trump has announced plans to send “tariff letters” to various countries, raising customs duties to as high as 125%. Trump emphasized his preference for tariffs over complex trade agreements.
Speaking to reporters before departing Washington for an event in Iowa, Trump outlined his approach to trade deals, stating, “What I really want is to send letters to countries telling them what tariff rate they will pay. It’s much easier. There are over 170 countries—how many agreements can you make? You can make good agreements, but they are much more complicated.”
Tariff Letters:
Trump revealed that his administration will likely begin sending “tariff letters” to various countries as early as tomorrow. “Maybe we’ll send 10 a day, telling different countries how much they will pay to trade with the US,” he said.
Simplified Trade Approach:
Trump explained that while countries often seek specific agreements with various provisions, he prefers a simpler approach. “They want specific agreements with all kinds of things included, but I like to keep it simple,” he added.
Economic Growth and Legislation:
Trump also highlighted the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which he plans to sign on Friday at 5:00 PM local time. He described the legislation as transforming the country into a “rocket ship” and predicted record-breaking economic growth.
“My first term was very, very successful. We had the greatest economy in our country’s history. I think this term we’ll surpass that,” Trump said.
