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The United States is preparing to conclude several trade agreements in the coming days, with President Donald Trump confirming that formal notification of revised tariff rates will be issued to other nations by July 9. These new rates are scheduled to take effect from August 1.

While the August 1 implementation date had been previously mentioned by Trump and senior officials, there had been ambiguity around whether it would apply uniformly across all trading partners. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick later clarified that the higher duties would indeed take effect on August 1, although Trump is currently in the process of finalising the rates and ongoing trade discussions.

Back in April, the US administration had announced a 10 per cent base tariff on the majority of countries, with some additional levies potentially reaching 50 per cent. That announcement had also included a postponement, pushing the effective date for all but the 10 per cent base rate to July 9—offering a temporary reprieve of three weeks.

Trade Talks Accelerate as Pressure Mounts

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, said significant announcements regarding trade agreements could be expected shortly. He noted that discussions with the European Union were progressing well and confirmed that over 100 countries with smaller trade volumes would be notified about the reinstatement of the April 2 tariff levels if no deal is reached by the July 9 deadline.

“President Trump’s going to be sending letters to some of our trading partners saying that if you don’t move things along, then on August 1 you will boomerang back to your April 2 tariff level. So I think we’re going to see a lot of deals very quickly,” Bessent told CNN.

Stephen Miran, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, echoed that sentiment, saying: “I hear good things about the talks with Europe. I hear good things about the talks with India,” adding that concessions were key to securing reduced tariff rates.

Thailand, Vietnam Among Nations Responding to US Pressure

Amid growing urgency, several countries have stepped up efforts to avoid punitive tariffs. Thailand, facing the possibility of a 36 per cent tariff, is offering enhanced access for US agricultural and industrial products and has committed to increasing purchases of American energy and Boeing aircraft, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira told Bloomberg.

In India, negotiations with Washington appear to be approaching the final stages. CNBC-TV18 reported that a decision on a mini trade deal could be expected within 24 to 48 hours, with average tariffs on Indian exports to the US projected at 10 per cent.

Kevin Hassett, head of the White House National Economic Council, stated on CBS’s Face the Nation that there could be some leeway for nations engaged in “earnest negotiations,” suggesting that “there are deadlines, and there are things that are close, and so maybe things will push back past the deadline.”

Referring to recently concluded deals, Hassett said that the framework agreements with the United Kingdom and Vietnam could act as models for other countries. Miran called the deal with Vietnam “fantastic,” noting, “It’s extremely one-sided. We get to apply a significant tariff to Vietnamese exports. They’re opening their markets to ours, applying zero tariff to our exports.”

As August 1 approaches, the Trump administration is pressing its trading partners harder than ever to reach agreements—or face a new era of steep tariffs.