U.S. President Donald Trump began issuing formal letters to multiple countries on Monday, informing them of new tariff rates as part of his sweeping economic policy shift. The move comes as the 90-day moratorium on trade penalties, initially imposed after Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariff rollout in April, officially ended.
According to preliminary information, at least a dozen countries received letters from the White House detailing specific tariff rates to be imposed on their exports to the U.S. The list includes:
Japan: 25%
South Korea: 25%
Malaysia: 25%
Kazakhstan: 25%
South Africa: 30%
Indonesia: 32%
Laos: 40%
Myanmar: 40%
Tunisia: 25%
Serbia: 35%
Bosnia and Herzegovina: 30%
The tariffs are set to take effect on August 1, following the signing of an executive order by Trump that allows time for potential bilateral trade negotiations. The administration has indicated that countries may still negotiate new deals to avoid or reduce these penalties, though the White House has made clear it does not intend to pursue traditional trade agreements.
The tariff strategy stems from Trump’s April 2 rollout of a broader economic protectionist campaign, dubbed “Liberation Day.” However, amid intense backlash and global market turmoil, the administration quickly announced a pause on April 9 and promised to pursue “90 new trade deals in 90 days.” That plan has since been replaced by the current unilateral notification system.
In a post on Truth Social Monday, Trump added new pressure on countries affiliated with the BRICS economic bloc. “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.
Two of the countries receiving letters this week—South Africa and Indonesia—are full BRICS members, while Kazakhstan and Malaysia were recently designated BRICS “partner countries.” The administration's targeting of BRICS-affiliated nations further reflects a growing economic and geopolitical rivalry, particularly as BRICS expands its global footprint and attempts to shift away from the U.S. dollar.
The move has already triggered renewed concerns of economic instability, reminiscent of April's post-announcement market volatility. As more countries await their tariff notifications in the coming days, analysts warn of another potential shockwave across global trade networks, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe.