Trump escalates trade offensive with new tariff notices to seven nations

07/15/2025 / By Laura Harris

On July 9, President Donald Trump issued formal tariff letters to the leaders of the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Algeria, Libya, Iraq and Moldova, expanding his trade crackdown. New duties between 20 percent and 30 percent will take effect on Aug. 1.
Some previously proposed rates were reduced, Sri Lanka’s tariff was lowered from 44 percent to 30 percent and Iraq’s from 39 percent to 30 percent. However, other countries saw increases, such as the Philippines, which rose from 17 percent to 20 percent.
Just days earlier, on July 7, Trump shared letters to 14 other countries, including Japan, South Korea and Indonesia, outlining tariffs ranging from 25 percent to 40 percent, also effective on Aug. 1.
Trump’s letters cautioned countries not to respond with retaliatory tariffs, threatening to raise U.S. duties further if they do. Tariffs may be “modified, upward or downward,” depending on each country’s behavior and trade policy changes.
Although the tariffs were originally set to take effect on July 10, Trump signed an executive order delaying implementation to Aug. 1, citing recommendations from senior officials.

President Donald Trump has intensified his aggressive trade agenda by issuing a new round of tariff notices to seven additional countries, expanding his push for bilateral trade deals through unilateral pressure tactics.

According to several reports, formal letters were sent to the leaders of the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Algeria, Libya, Iraq and Moldova on Wednesday, July 9. The notices outlined new import duties ranging from 20 percent to 30 percent, set to take effect on Aug. 1. (Related: Trump’s tariffs will create millions of jobs.)

The administration has made slight modifications to some rates, but the overall message remains consistent: countries must make concessions or face mounting economic pressure. For instance, Sri Lanka’s tariff rate, initially proposed at 44 percent in April, was lowered to 30 percent in the latest notice. Iraq’s rate also dropped to 30 percent, down from 39 percent. However, other countries saw hikes, including the Philippines, which saw its rate increase from 17 percent to 20 percent.

Moreover, each letter warned that tariffs could be increased further if affected nations choose to retaliate or fail to meet “U.S. expectations,” though those benchmarks were not clearly defined.

Trump earlier issued formal tariff letters to 14 nations

The move comes on the heels of Trump’s decision earlier this July to impose trade duties on 14 other countries.

In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform on Monday, July 7, Trump shared images of formal letters addressed to the leaders of Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Laos, Myanmar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tunisia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Serbia, Cambodia and Thailand. The letters outlined new tariff rates and warned that the U.S. might “perhaps reconsider the penalties, depending on our relationship with your country.”

According to the letters, goods from Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Tunisia will be hit with a 25 percent tariff. South African and Bosnian imports will face a 30 percent duty, while products from Indonesia will be taxed at 32 percent. Bangladesh and Serbia will see a 35 percent tariff on their exports to the U.S., while Cambodia and Thailand will face a 36 percent rate. The highest tariffs will fall on Laos and Myanmar, with duties set at 40 percent.

The move comes just days before a previously announced tariff hike was scheduled to take effect. Originally slated for Wednesday, the increase was postponed until Aug. 1 after Trump signed an executive order Monday afternoon. The delay, according to the order, was based on “additional information and recommendations from various senior officials.”

Trump also warned the 14 countries not to retaliate against the new U.S. tariffs by imposing duties on American goods.

“If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 25 percent that we charge,” Trump wrote. “These tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country. You will never be disappointed with the United States of America.”

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