• Trump has sent tariff letters to 21 countries warning of increased import duties effective August 1.
• Tariff rates vary from 20% to 50%, with Japan and South Korea facing 25% duties.
• The move aims to address trade imbalances, with Trump asserting nations must negotiate better trade deals.
• Countries reacting include Japan, South Korea, and various nations in Africa and Asia.
• Further escalations are promised for any retaliatory tariffs imposed by these countries.

US President Donald Trump has escalated trade tensions by sending tariff letters to more than 20 countries, warning that higher import duties will take effect from August 1, 2025, if bilateral trade deals are not reached. The letters outline specific tariff rates that range from 20% to 50%, adjusting some from earlier levels, as Trump continues his aggressive "reciprocal tariff" policy first announced in April this year, according to Channel News Asia and India Times.

Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Algeria, Iraq, and the Philippines are among those that received tariff letters, with many being urged to revise their trade practices or face higher rates. Japan and South Korea are set to face 25% tariffs, while countries like Algeria and Libya face 30% duties, with rates for the Philippines pegged at 20%, as detailed by Al Jazeera and AA.

Trump's aggressive stance indicates that nations are expected to address long-standing trade deficits or face elevated duties, which he has justified as necessary for correcting trade imbalances. The President threatened that retaliatory tariffs from affected nations would lead to even steeper US tariffs, reflecting an intent to press countries into negotiations, according to India Times and Reuters.

While Trump’s administration has managed to negotiate some agreements, with Britain and Vietnam being notable successes, the majority of countries receiving tariff warnings have yet to solidify deals, raising concerns of a wider economic fallout due to these trade tactics. The uncertainty surrounding the tariff landscape continues to create challenges for businesses trying to adapt, per reports from Reuters and The Hill.