 "Trump has turned the Oval Office into a hub for his allies, friends and staff. Reuters/File Photo")
US President Donald Trump on Sunday spoke about the upcoming much-anticipated trade deals between the United States and other countries, including India, as the deadline for tariff relief approaches on July 9.
He said that letters related to these trade agreements would start going out on Monday.
The United States is close to wrapping up several trade deals and will inform other countries about higher tariffs by July 9, Trump said. The new tariff rates are set to take effect on August 1.
“We are going to be sending letters out on Monday about the trade deals. It could be as many as 15 or so,” Trump said. “They will be going out on Monday, and some on Tuesday and Wednesday. We have made deals too, so there’s going to be a combination of letters and already completed agreements.”
His comments come just before the July 9 deadline, which marks the end of a 90-day suspension on Trump-era tariffs. After that date, an additional 26 percent import duty is expected to apply to goods entering the US from countries like India.
The Trump administration is stepping up pressure on trade partners to reach agreements quickly before Wednesday. Starting Monday, the US plans to send official letters warning that higher tariffs could take effect from August 1.
Standing beside Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said “The president is right in the midst of discussing all sorts of deals with all sorts of countries.” He confirmed that if agreements are not reached, the new tariffs will take effect on August 1.