Donald Trump said on Monday he is preparing to impose blanket tariffs of 15% to 20% on imports from nations lacking exclusive trade agreements with the United States, a move that would mark a substantial hike from the 10% rate previously announced in April.
Speaking in Turnberry, Scotland, alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump indicated the tariffs would be designed to apply generally to countries without a negotiated deal, rather than pursuing multiple individual agreements.
The president clarified that the broad tariff policy aims for simplicity and enforcement practicality, given the United States’ absence of trade deals with numerous countries. The announcement comes just ahead of Trump’s self-imposed August 1 deadline for launching the tariff framework.
Meanwhile, top trade officials from the US and China convened in Stockholm on Monday to discuss protracted disputes underlying the ongoing trade war. Negotiators are striving to settle tariff deals, as China faces an August 12 cut-off to finalize a long-term trade accord with Washington. Failure to reach a definitive agreement risks triggering renewed tariffs, with some duties potentially exceeding 100% on both sides, threatening fresh disruptions to global supply chains.
