8/7/2025–|Last update: 21:09 (Mecca time)
Easy the American President Donald Trump His threats to impose punitive customs duties on more than 12 countries unless they were able to reach an agreement before August 1, declaring the last stage in his commercial war.
This comes within the “mutual” customs duties announced by Trump for the first time last April, and then postponed 90 days to provide the opportunity for negotiations. This deadline – which was scheduled to end this week – was postponed to August.
The changing timetable for the most important American customs duties – nearly a century ago – sparked a turmoil in the global markets and caused widespread confusion, as the American administration is still far from concluding “90 deals in 90 days” that it initially promised, according to the British newspaper Gardian.
1- What changed with Trump’s launch of customs duties?
Trump has informed the main suppliers (Japan and South Korea, and 12 other countries) – the beginning of this week – that they will face customs duties of at least 25%, starting next August, unless they can quickly negotiate deals.
He also threatened to increase it if any country responded, or tried to circumvent customs duties across other countries.
Trump kept the world confused about the results of months of talks with countries, hoping to avoid large increases in the customs duties that threatened them.
The average customs duties of South Korea is the same as Trump initially announced, while average Customs Japan has the highest 1% of what was announced last April.
2- What are the affected countries?
14 countries this week have been informed of imminent customs duties, with expectations to inform more countries in the coming days.
And rates range Customs tariffs The expensive between 25% and 40%, and some of the harshest customs duties are imposed on developing countries in southeast Asia, including 32% on Indonesia, 36% on Cambodia and Thailand, and 40% on both Laos and Myanmar.
Bangladesh, which is a manufacturing center, faces 35%customs duties, as it was imposed on Tunisia Malaysia and Kazakhstan And South Africa فولود مريدو 30% customs duties unless an agreement is reached.
3- How many deals?
Trump granted a 90 -day deadline last April to allow enough time to mediate in commercial deals, but only two agreements have been reached:
- The first with Britain Signed on May 8, and includes 10% of most British commodities, including cars, and exemption from customs duties on steel and aluminum.
- The second with Vietnam Last week, it determines 20% customs duties on most of its exports, although the full details are not clear, and no text was published for the agreement.
According to Guardian, the United States reached a fragile truce with China After the trade war between them escalates.
US Treasury Secretary, Scott Besent, expects the issuance of several commercials during the next 48 hours, adding that his email is full of last minute offers from the affected countries.
On the other hand, he called a president South Korea For an emergency meeting, the Ministry of Commerce said that the country will take advantage of the extended deadline to negotiate “useful results for both parties” and there are reports indicating that European Union It aims to reach a commercial agreement by Wednesday.
Meanwhile, other countries – such as South Africa – said its president said The serrious Ruminza The average American customs duties of 30% unjustified, given that 77% of American goods enter the country without customs duties.
4- How does markets and companies interact?
American stocks retreated in response to the most recent market turmoil, as Trump’s commercial moves shook the financial markets and pushed policy makers to accelerate the protection of their economies.
5- Why did Asian countries be damaged?
Countries in Asia have been subjected to some of the most punitive customs duties because of what Trump claims is an unfair commercial deficit, which means that its exports to US Its imports excel.
However, analysts question the feasibility of using these accounts, and they also indicated that Trump may instead try to punish China, by targeting countries that receive significant investments from the second largest economy in the world.
Many Southeast Asian countries -a region that made up 7.2% of gross domestic product The world in 2024- major manufacturing centers for commodities such as textiles and shoes, which means that they will be severely affected by customs duties, while the prices of these goods will also rise in the United States.
6- What will happen next?
White House press secretary Caroline Levit said – at a press conference – that more countries will be informed of impending customs duties this week.
She added that President Trump was “soon” to conclude other deals, but “he wants to ensure that these are the best possible deals.”
However, slight progress in deals so far highlights what trade experts describe that trade agreements are complex and take a long time, according to the British newspaper report.