“MAXIMUM PRESSURE”
“I think we’ll have most countries done by Jul 9, either a letter or a deal,” Trump said, adding that some deals had been made already.
Standing at his side, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed tariffs would kick in on Aug 1 but denied that it was a way of delaying the deadline.
“The President is setting the rates and the deals right now.”
Bessent also denied that Trump was setting a new deadline with the Aug 1 date.
“It’s not a new deadline. We are saying, this is when it’s happening. If you want to speed things up, have at it. If you want to go back to the old rate, that’s your choice,” he said.
Bessent added that the playbook was to apply “maximum pressure” and cited the European Union as an example, saying they are “making very good progress” after a slow start.
Earlier, he hinted at “several big announcements” on deals in the coming days but would not say with which countries.
EU and US negotiators are holding talks over the weekend, and France’s finance minister said Saturday he hoped they could strike a deal as well.
Other countries were still expressing unease, however.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Sunday he “won’t easily compromise” in trade talks with Washington.
And BRICS leaders of fast-growing economies meeting in Rio de Janeiro raised “serious concerns” that the “indiscriminate” import tariffs were illegal and risked hurting global trade.
Trump lashed out at the group – which comprises 11 nations including Brazil, Russia, India and China – in response.
“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump wrote.
