INTERNATIONAL

A look at the countries that received Trump’s tariff letters

AP Newsroom 09/07/2025 | 05:56 MYT
President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington. - AP Photo/Evan Vucci
US President Donald Trump sent letters to 14 countries Monday outlining higher tariffs they’ll face if they don’t make trade deals with the U.S. by Aug. 1.


AI Brief
  • Trump set tariffs between 25%40% on imports from 14 countries, adjusting some rates from earlier announcements.
  • Several countries, including Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, are pursuing negotiations before the August 1 enforcement.
  • Trump warned of higher tariffs if nations retaliate, raising fears of escalating trade tensions and global market instability.


Four out of these 14 countries face import taxes that mirror the same, so-called “reciprocal” rates Trump unveiled against dozens of trading partners in April — the bulk of which were later postponed just hours after taking effect. But eight of Monday’s letters outlined rates lower than those previously-announced amounts, while two were slightly higher.

Future escalation is still possible. In the letters, which were posted on Truth Social, Trump warned countries that they would face even higher tariffs if they retaliated by increasing their own import taxes.

Here’s a look at the countries that got tariff letters — and where things stand now:

Myanmar
Tariff rate: 40% starting Aug. 1. That’s down from 44% announced in April.

Key exports to the U.S.: Clothing, leather goods, seafood

Response: Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, the spokesperson for Myanmar’s military government. said the government will follow up with negotiations.


Laos
Tariff rate: 40% starting Aug. 1. That’s down from 48% announced in April.

Key exports to the U.S.: Shoes with textile uppers, wood furniture, electronic components, optical fiber


Cambodia
Tariff rate: 36% starting Aug. 1. That’s down from 49% announced in April.

Key exports to the U.S.: Textiles, clothing, shoes, bicycles

Response: Cambodia’s chief negotiator, Sun Chanthol, said the country successfully got the tariff dropped from the 49% Trump announced in April to 36% and is ready to hold a new round of negotiations. He appealed to investors, especially factory owners, and the country’s nearly 1 million garment workers not to panic about the tariff rate announced Monday.


Thailand
Tariff rate: 36% starting Aug. 1. That’s the same rate that was announced in April.

Key exports to the U.S.: Computer parts, rubber products and gemstones

Response: Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said Thailand will continue to push for tariff negotiations with the United States. Thailand on Sunday submitted a new proposal that includes opening the Thai market for more American agricultural and industrial products and increasing imports of energy and aircraft.


Bangladesh
Tariff rate: 35% starting Aug. 1. That’s down from 37% announced in April.

Key export to the U.S.: Clothing

Response: Bangladesh’s finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh hopes to negotiate for a better outcome. There are concerns that additional tariffs would make Bangladesh’s garment exports less competitive with countries like Vietnam and India.


Serbia
Tariff rate: 35% starting Aug. 1. That’s down from 37% announced in April.

Key exports to the U.S.: Software and IT services; car tires


Indonesia
Tariff rate: 32% starting Aug. 1. That’s the same rate that was announced in April.

Key exports to the U.S.: Palm oil, cocoa butter, semiconductors


Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tariff rate: 30% starting Aug. 1. That’s down from 35% announced in April.

Key exports to the U.S.: Weapons and ammunition


South Africa
Tariff rate: 30% starting Aug. 1. That’s the same rate that was announced in April.

Key exports to the U.S.: Platinum, diamonds, vehicles and auto parts

Response: The office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that the tariff rates announced by Trump mischaracterized the trade relationship with the U.S., but it would “continue with its diplomatic efforts towards a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States” after having proposed a trade framework on May 20.

Japan
Tariff rate: 25% starting Aug. 1. That’s up from 24% announced in April.

Key exports to the U.S.: Autos, auto parts, electronics

Response: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called the tariff “extremely regrettable” but said he was determined to continue negotiating. Ishiba said Trump’s tariff rate is lower than the levels he had threatened earlier and opens the way for further negotiations.

Kazakhstan
Tariff rate: 25% starting Aug. 1. That’s down from 27% announced in April.

Key exports to the U.S.: Oil, uranium, ferroalloys and silver


Malaysia
Tariff rate: 25% starting Aug. 1. That’s up from 24% announced in April.

Key exports to the U.S.: Electronics and electrical products

Response: Malaysia’s government said it will pursue talks with the U.S. A cabinet meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.


South Korea
Tariff rate: 25% starting Aug. 1. That’s the same rate that was announced in April.

Key exports to the U.S.: Vehicles, machinery, electronics

Response: South Korea’s Trade Ministry said early Tuesday that it will accelerate negotiations with the United States to achieve a deal before the 25% tax goes into effect.


Tunisia
Tariff rate: 25% starting Aug. 1. That’s down from 28% announced in April.

Key exports to the U.S.: Animal and vegetable fats, clothing, fruit and nuts.








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