Trump’s Latest Tariff Embarrassment

**updated/corrected 7/8/2025

Trump’s “tariff letter” is an embarrassment to the United States (and especially to any English teacher who ever tried to teach him). Sent in identical form to the heads of state of 14 countries, the letter is replete with surplus capitalizations, punctuation errors, and threats. As originally sent, the Trump letter to the Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zeljka Cvijanovic, referred to her as “Dear Mr. President.” That’s unfortunately consistent with earlier gaffes, such as his reference to “Mr. Japan” rather than Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

We have the text of the letter because Trump posted it on Truth Social, which seems an odd way to conduct tariff negotiations, diplomatic relations, or communication between heads of state. CNBC compares Trump’s cut-and-paste missives to love letters:

“Upon first reading, the letter is enough to send the heart racing. It contains bold emotional declarations (“You will never be disappointed with The United States of America”), big double-digit numbers (between 25% and 40%, depending on the recipient) and a veiled threat should desire not be reciprocated (“These tariffs may be modified … depending on our relationship with your Country”).”

NPR lists the countries that received the letter and the tariff rates Trump said he will impose on August 1:

• Bangladesh — 35%
• Bosnia and Herzegovina — 30%
• Cambodia — 36%
• Indonesia — 32%
• Japan — 25%
• Kazakhstan — 25%
• Laos — 40%
• Malaysia — 25%
• Myanmar — 40%
• Serbia — 35%
• South Africa — 30%
• South Korea — 25%
• Thailand — 36%
• Tunisia — 25%

Trump’s tariff wars began on April 2, when he announced high tariffs on almost every country in the world. After stock markets plummeted, and a week later he lowered the tariffs to ten percent for 90 days. That time period ends on July 9—hence, the new tariff letters, which seem to revert to levels close to the April 1 threats. 

In April, Trump promised 90 tariff deals in 90 days. Since then, Trump has repeatedly said that many countries are negotiating for tariff deals, that deals are coming soon, or that countries are asking for deals. So far, however, only three “deals” have been reached, with the United Kingdom, China, and Vietnam. A lengthy analysis of Trump tariff policies published by the Council on Foreign Relations describes those “deals”: 

“The first deal, concluded with the United Kingdom on May 8, is a framework for future talks. It resolved a few trade irritants, but it kept a 10 percent across-the-board tariff in place. A second deal was reached with Vietnam on July 2, but details on its terms are unclear, with no text yet released. Trump claimed on social media that imports from Vietnam would now face 20 percent tariffs, essentially doubling the rate imposed on April 5, though still lower than the 46 percent country-specific ‘reciprocal’ tariff proposed on ‘Liberation Day.’ Vietnam also agreed to reduce its tariff barriers to zero, which Steven Miran, chair of the Council of Economic Advisors touted as ‘fantastic’ because ‘it’s extremely one-sided.’ …

“The latest U.S.-China trade talks in Geneva and London offered little more than a diplomatic smoke break. Despite the Trump administration’s attempts to spin ‘success,’ the scoreboard is clear—Beijing is winning.”

White House spokespuppet Karoline Leavitt said that more letters will be sent to more countries in coming days, and “said Mr. Trump will post them on Truth Social ‘so you can enjoy them yourself.’“

On Sunday, July 6, Trump said  “We’ll have most countries done by July 9 — either a letter or a deal.” So far—no deals. 

On the same day, he threatened the BRICS group of emerging economies with additional tariffs because of unspecified “Anti-American policies.” 

His latest threats are consistent with the Trump tariff policy of bluster, threats, and lies. The biggest lie, of course, is that tariffs would be paid by other countries. They will not. They will be paid by U.S. consumers, whether those consumers are big companies purchasing steel or individuals buying everything from shoes to medicines. 

[NOTE: For an excellent description of how tariffs work and who ends up paying, see Courtney Milan’s analysis, reposted with permission here.]  

**Correction: Error in naming Vietnam has been corrected. Thanks to the alert reader who corrected me!