Donald Trump Signs Tariff Letters to 12 Countries, Dispatch Scheduled for July 7

Washington D.C., July 5, 2025 — Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has signed a series of tariff letters addressed to 12 countries, which are scheduled to be dispatched on Monday, July 7. Speaking during a campaign event in Pennsylvania, Trump said the move was aimed at curbing what he described as “unfair trade practices” that have negatively impacted American workers and industries. While Trump did not disclose the full list of countries, trade experts believe that major U.S. trade partners, including China, Vietnam, Germany, and India, could be among the recipients.

The announcement marks a significant escalation in Trump’s return to a protectionist trade agenda, echoing the hardline economic policies from his previous term in office. During his 2017–2021 presidency, Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on steel, aluminum, and a wide range of goods from China, which sparked retaliatory actions and disrupted global supply chains. With the new tariff letters, Trump is signaling a renewed commitment to “America First” trade principles, asserting that the U.S. can no longer tolerate one-sided trade relationships.

Markets remained relatively stable in the immediate aftermath of the announcement, though analysts warned that any concrete actions following the letters could trigger volatility. Economists and trade policy experts also noted that such unilateral moves could strain diplomatic ties and hinder progress on multilateral trade negotiations. “We’ve seen this playbook before,” said a senior analyst at the Brookings Institution. “If these letters are a precursor to new tariffs, we may be heading toward another round of trade tensions.”

The letters are reportedly formal diplomatic warnings that could lead to demands for renegotiated trade terms or the imposition of punitive tariffs if deemed necessary. Trump emphasized that the goal is to restore balance and protect American manufacturing and labor interests, claiming that foreign governments have “taken advantage” of the U.S. economy for too long. His remarks have already stirred discussions among global policy circles, although most of the targeted nations have yet to issue an official response.

Political analysts view the move as a strategic attempt to differentiate Trump’s economic stance from that of the Biden administration ahead of the 2024 presidential election. With voters increasingly concerned about domestic job creation and economic nationalism, Trump’s focus on trade and tariffs is expected to remain a central theme in his campaign. As the July 7 deadline approaches, international observers are closely watching how these countries will respond and what implications this step might have for global commerce and diplomatic relations.