Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that letters regarding new tariffs have been signed and will be sent to 12 countries on Monday. Initially, Trump had planned to negotiate new trade deals with many nations, but growing frustration—especially with Japan and the European Union—has shifted his approach.
“The letters are better,” Trump told reporters, calling them a simpler alternative to lengthy negotiations.
The change in strategy highlights the difficulty the U.S. has faced in reaching full trade agreements, especially on complex issues like tariffs and agricultural import bans. Historically, such deals take years to finalize.
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So far, the U.S. has completed trade agreements only with Britain, which kept a 10% tariff and secured advantages for industries like autos and aircraft engines, and with Vietnam, which will reduce tariffs on Vietnamese goods from 46% to 20%, and allow many U.S. goods to enter Vietnam duty-free.
A potential deal with India has not materialized, and EU diplomats said Friday that talks with the Trump administration have stalled. They may now try to maintain the current trade terms to avoid new tariffs.
