US to start sending letters on tariff hikes from August 1, says Trump

US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will begin sending letters to trading partners as early as Friday, informing them of tariff rates set to take effect from August 1. This comes as negotiations with countries including India approach the final stage, with the July 9 deadline for concluding trade deals drawing near.

Trump told journalists late Thursday that “10 to 12 countries will get letters on Friday,” with additional letters expected to be sent “over the next few days.” The letters will specify tariffs ranging between 60–70 per cent and 10–20 per cent that countries will need to pay to continue doing business with the US,  as IANS reported.

‘Simple deals better than complex negotiations,’ says Trump

“My inclination is to send a letter out and say what tariffs countries are going to pay. We have more than 170 countries. And how many deals can you make? And you can make good deals, but they’re very much more complicated,” IANS report quoted Trump as saying.

“I’d rather just do a simple deal where you can maintain it and control it. You’re going to pay a 20 per cent or 30 per cent tariff, and we’re going to be sending some letters out, starting probably tomorrow, maybe 10 a day, to various countries, saying what they’re going to pay to do business with the US,” he added.

India–US talks continue, broader deal possible by October

Trump has recently announced a number of trade agreements, including with Vietnam and China. Last month, he stated that the US and India “may sign an agreement that will open up India for US goods.”

India’s negotiating team, led by Special Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, is currently in Washington for high-level discussions. The goal is to finalise an interim bilateral trade deal before the July 9 deadline, set under a 90-day pause on tariff hikes that currently keeps the rate at 10 per cent for most nations.

Negotiations are expected to continue even after the interim deal, with both sides aiming for a more comprehensive agreement by September or October. However, a major sticking point remains the US demand for broader market access to Indian agricultural and dairy sectors. For India, this is a sensitive area, as it directly affects the livelihoods of small farmers.