Trump: The tariffs will officially take effect on August 1st, and the date will not change!

According to Xinhua News Agency, after ordering to extend the 90-day grace period for "reciprocal tariffs" until August 1, U.S. President Trump stated on the 8th that this date "will not change again" and also announced that a new 50% tariff will be imposed on all copper imported into the United States.

(Screenshot of Trump's post on "Truth Social")

Trump: No further delays

On the 8th, Trump wrote on social media "Truth Social": "According to the letters sent to various countries yesterday, as well as the letters that will be sent over the next couple of days and in the time to come, tariffs will begin to be implemented on August 1, 2025."

He emphasized, "This date has not changed and will not change in the future!"

On the same day, Trump stated during a cabinet meeting at the White House that a new 50% tariff would be imposed on all copper imported into the United States, but did not disclose the specific time when the new tariff would take effect.

According to the U.S. Consumer News and Business Channel, after the cabinet meeting, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Raimondo stated that the Department of Commerce has completed its investigation into the status of copper imports, and he expects new tariffs "to be implemented possibly by the end of July or August 1."

Trump also stated that the U.S. government intends to impose new tariffs on pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and several other specific industries, citing that there may be new tariffs of up to 200% on foreign-made pharmaceuticals. However, he indicated that these new tariffs may not take effect in the short term, with the aim of allowing pharmaceutical companies some time to relocate to the United States.

On the 7th, Trump successively released letters he wrote to the leaders of 14 countries including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Laos, Myanmar, Tunisia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Serbia, Cambodia, and Thailand on social media, stating that he would impose tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% on imported products from these countries.

In these letters with almost identical content, Trump warned the leaders of the recipient countries that if they wish to raise tariffs in response, the United States will impose an equal increase in tariffs on top of the current rates. At the same time, if these countries or their companies decide to produce goods within the United States, they will not be subject to tariffs. If the relevant countries open their domestic markets to the United States and eliminate both tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, then, "we may adjust the contents of this letter, and the related tariff rates can be adjusted upwards or downwards, depending on the relationship between our countries."

Multiple countries express a desire for negotiations to resolve

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed on the 8th that he feels "very regretful" about the United States raising tariffs again, and has instructed relevant ministers to continue negotiations before August 1, seeking to reach an agreement that can safeguard national interests. Ishiba stated that the multiple rounds of negotiations between Japan and the United States have not yet reached an agreement because "the Japanese government is unwilling to compromise easily; what must be demanded must be demanded, and what must be protected must be protected, leading to ongoing tough consultations."

On the 8th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of South Korea issued a statement saying that after the new government took office, although intensive negotiations were conducted with the U.S. side in a short period of time based on the principle of prioritizing national interests, it was still insufficient to reach a consensus on all issues. The Korean side will accelerate negotiations before the new tariff rates take effect to achieve mutually beneficial results.

South African President Ramaphosa stated that 77% of American products enter South Africa tax-free, while the United States imposes a 30% tariff on South African products, which is "unreasonable." Ramaphosa believes that the tariffs imposed by the U.S. are based on its specific interpretation of the trade balance between the two countries, but South Africa disputes this interpretation.

On the 8th, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia issued a statement saying that unilateral measures will disrupt business activities, supply chains, and investment flows between the two countries. It hopes to further consult with the U.S. side to resolve unresolved issues, clarify the scope and impact of tariffs, and seek ways to complete negotiations in a timely manner.