US President Donald Trump, on Thursday, indicated the impending July 9 deadline for reinstating broad tariffs could be shifted depending on how trade negotiations are progressing. Addressing the White House, Trump showed flexibility in the timeline, indicating that it might be expedited or delayed.
"We can do whatever we want. We could make it longer. We could make it shorter. I'd prefer to make it shorter. I'd prefer to just send letters out to everyone: Congratulations, you're paying 25 percent," the president said to the press, reinforcing his tough stance on trade.
The remarks were at the end of a volatile week during which the U.S. waged military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities and was embroiled in fierce congressional debate over a big tax and spending bill. Against this background, the administration intensified its trade efforts.
Washington offered the European Union a fresh trade proposal on Thursday, while India sent a delegation to the U.S. capital to push forward in their bilateral trade negotiations.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also hinted at a possible extension of the deadline, and he reported that agreements with major partners could be reached by the Labour Day holiday on September 1.
"Countries that are making good offers, they are receiving strong interest," Bessent told Fox Business Network in an interview. "We have 18 major trading partners. If we can get 10 or 12 of them nailed down, and we're already in discussions with another 20 major economies, we might have trade concluded by Labour Day."
In April, President Trump announced a far-reaching tariff plan to apply retaliatory duties to nearly all foreign imports. A 90-day grace period was provided, allowing nations through July 8 to negotiate exemptions or new terms prior to tariffs over 10 percent taking effect.
The administration turned up the heat late in May, threatening 50 percent tariffs on European Union goods, heightening existing trade tensions that were already bubbling from earlier rounds of levies.
Although strong in tone, the White House insisted that the deadlines of July are still elastic. "Maybe it could be pushed back, but that's for the president to decide," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said to reporters, as reported by CNBC. "July 8 and 9 are not urgent."
The coming weeks are likely to be critical as the U.S. pursues positive outcomes in its trade talks with key world partners.
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