Trump says likely to start informing countries of US tariffs Friday

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in April. As the new July 9 looms, he said he plans to start informing partners of their tariff rates as early as Friday. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

WASHINGTON, United States – President Donald Trump said he plans to start sending letters informing trading partners of their tariff rates as soon as Friday, as negotiations to avoid higher US levies enter the final stretch.

“My inclination is to send a letter out and say what tariff they’re going to be paying,” he told reporters on Thursday. “It’s just much easier.”

He added: “We’re going to be sending some letters out, starting probably tomorrow.”

READ: Trump says he’s not planning to extend a pause on global tariffs beyond July 9

His comments come days before steeper duties are set to take effect on dozens of economies — customized to each of them — ranging from Taiwan to the European Union.

These tariffs were part of a broader announcement in April where Trump imposed a 10 percent duty on goods from almost all trading partners, with a plan to step up these rates for a select group within days.

But he swiftly paused the hikes until July 9, allowing for trade talks to take place.

Countries have been pushing to strike deals that would help them avoid these elevated duties.

US officials have signaled that there could be a flurry of trade pacts announced in the coming days.

But so far, the Trump administration has only unveiled deals with the UK and Vietnam, while Washington and Beijing agreed to temporarily lower staggeringly high levies on each other’s products.

As his July deadline approaches, Trump has repeatedly said he plans to inform countries of US tariff rates by sending them letters.