Who’s on Trump’s Tariff Letter? 23 Countries Facing Higher Rates
Washington. President Donald Trump has sent letters this week outlining higher tariffs that countries will face if they do not reach trade deals with the US by Aug. 1.
Some of the proposed tariffs mirror the “reciprocal” rates Trump unveiled in April against dozens of trading partners, most of which were postponed hours after taking effect. However, many of the new rates are higher or lower than those previously announced.
So far, Trump has warned 23 nations, including major trading partners like South Korea and Japan, that steeper tariffs will be imposed starting Aug. 1.
Nearly all of the letters struck a similar tone, with the exceptions of Brazil and Canada. Neither country was on Trump’s April tariff list, although Canada was already facing a 25 percent tariff at the time.
Trump has singled out Brazil, seemingly in response to the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is charged with attempting to overturn his 2022 election loss. In his letter to Canada, Trump framed the tariffs as a push to crack down on fentanyl smuggling, despite the relatively modest trafficking from that country. He has also expressed frustration with a trade deficit that largely reflects US oil purchases from Canada.
Since April, nearly every country has faced a minimum 10 percent levy on goods entering the US, on top of other tariffs on specific products such as steel and automobiles. Further escalation remains possible. In his letters, which were posted on Truth Social, Trump warned countries that retaliatory tariffs on US goods would lead to even higher US tariffs.
Here is a look at the countries that have received tariff letters so far and where things stand:
1. Brazil
Tariff: 50 percent starting Aug. 1 (up from 10 percent baseline)
Key exports: Petroleum, iron products, coffee, fruit juice
Response: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the tariffs would trigger Brazil’s economic reciprocity law, allowing trade and investment agreements to be suspended. Lula noted the US has had a trade surplus of over $410 billion with Brazil over the past 15 years.
2. Myanmar
Tariff: 40 percent starting Aug. 1 (down from 44 percent in April)
Key exports: Clothing, leather goods, seafood
Response: The military government said it would pursue negotiations.
3. Laos
Tariff: 40 percent starting Aug. 1 (down from 48 percent in April)
Key exports: Shoes, wood furniture, electronics, optical fiber
4. Cambodia
Tariff: 36 percent starting Aug. 1 (down from 49 percent in April)
Key exports: Textiles, clothing, shoes, bicycles
Response: Chief negotiator Sun Chanthol said Cambodia secured a lower tariff and is ready for further talks, urging garment workers and factory owners not to panic.
5. Thailand
Tariff: 36 percent starting Aug. 1 (unchanged)
Key exports: Computer parts, rubber products, gemstones
Response: Deputy PM Pichai Chunhavajira said Thailand submitted a new proposal to expand US market access for American goods.
6. Bangladesh
Tariff: 35 percent starting Aug. 1 (down from 37 percent in April)
Key exports: Clothing
Response: Finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh seeks to negotiate further, noting concerns over garment export competitiveness.
7. Canada
Tariff: 35 percent starting Aug. 1 (up from 25 percent in March)
Key exports: Oil, petroleum products, cars, trucks
Response: PM Mark Carney said Canada will continue working toward a trade deal before the deadline.
8. Serbia
Tariff: 35 percent starting Aug. 1 (down from 37 percent in April)
Key exports: Software, IT services, car tires
9. Indonesia
Tariff: 32 percent starting Aug. 1 (unchanged)
Key exports: Palm oil, cocoa butter, semiconductors
10. Algeria
Tariff: 30 percent starting Aug. 1 (unchanged)
Key exports: Petroleum, cement, iron products
11. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tariff: 30 percent starting Aug. 1 (down from 35 percent in April)
Key exports: Weapons, ammunition
12. Iraq
Tariff: 30 percent starting Aug. 1 (down from 39 percent in April)
Key exports: Crude oil, petroleum products
13. Libya
Tariff: 30 percent starting Aug. 1 (down from 31 percent in April)
Key exports: Petroleum products
14. South Africa
Tariff: 30 percent starting Aug. 1 (unchanged)
Key exports: Platinum, diamonds, vehicles, auto parts
Response: President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said the tariffs mischaracterize the trade relationship but will continue diplomatic efforts for a balanced agreement.
15. Sri Lanka
Tariff: 30 percent starting Aug. 1 (down from 44 percent in April)
Key exports: Clothing, rubber products
16. Brunei
Tariff: 25 percent starting Aug. 1 (up from 24 percent in April)
Key exports: Mineral fuels, machinery
17. Moldova
Tariff: 25 percent starting Aug. 1 (down from 31 percent in April)
Key exports: Fruit juice, wine, clothing, plastics
18. Japan
Tariff: 25 percent starting Aug. 1 (up from 24 percent in April)
Key exports: Autos, auto parts, electronics
Response: PM Shigeru Ishiba called the tariff “extremely regrettable” but vowed to continue negotiations.
19. Kazakhstan
Tariff: 25 percent starting Aug. 1 (down from 27 percent in April)
Key exports: Oil, uranium, ferroalloys, silver
20. Malaysia
Tariff: 25 percent starting Aug. 1 (up from 24 percent in April)
Key exports: Electronics, electrical products
Response: The government will pursue talks, with a cabinet meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
21. South Korea
Tariff: 25 percent starting Aug. 1 (unchanged)
Key exports: Vehicles, machinery, electronics
Response: The Trade Ministry said it will accelerate negotiations with the US.
22. Tunisia
Tariff: 25 percent starting Aug. 1 (down from 28 percent in April)
Key exports: Animal and vegetable fats, clothing, fruit, nuts
23. Philippines
Tariff: 20 percent starting Aug. 1 (up from 17 percent in April)
Key exports: Electronics, machinery, clothing, gold
