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U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he is considering imposing a blanket tariff of 15% or 20% on countries that have not yet received formal notifications, with all new duties set to take effect on Aug. 1.
His remarks came after a series of letters sent earlier this week to more than 20 governments, detailing country-specific tariff rates ranging from 20% to 50%, including 35% for Canada and 50% for Brazil.
Trump’s tariffs, first formally unveiled in April, originally proposed a universal 10% tariff on nearly all imports, along with additional “reciprocal” rates for specific countries. Initially scheduled for July 9, the implementation date has now been delayed to Aug. 1 to accommodate ongoing trade negotiations.
Trump also warned that any retaliatory tariff action would prompt the U.S. to raise duties further in his letters to the countries. He also told NBC News that countries not yet contacted might face across-the-board tariffs, while a letter to the European Union—Washington’s largest trading partner—was expected “today or tomorrow”.
In response to the letter, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada would continue to defend its workers and businesses during talks with the U.S. Canada and Mexico are working to prevent disruption to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced NAFTA in 2020 and is scheduled for review by mid-2026.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Thursday that his government is open to negotiating with the U.S, while also reviewing potential reciprocity measures.
Trump's letter to Lula included criticism over the treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a political ally of Trump.
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