WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump told reporters he would start sending out letters to other countries as early as July 4 dictating their tariff rates to sell products in the United States, rather than negotiating scores of individual trade deals.
“My inclination is to send a letter out saying what tariff they’re going to be paying,” Trump said July 3. “It’s just much easier.”
His comments came as a July 9 deadline approaches for the reimposition of hefty tariffs on countries around the world. His announcement of worldwide tariffs in April sent the world’s financial markets spiraling before he paused the fees for 90 days for most countries.
Since then, Trump has announced trade deals with Vietnam and the United Kingdom, and the framework for a deal with China. He aims for 10% baseline tariff and greater fees for specific countries based on U.S. trade deficits with them.
But he has said he is unwilling to extend his deadline and it would be difficult to negotiate deals with 170 other countries. Disputes remain with major trading partners such as Canada, Mexico and the European Union.
“How many deals can you make?” Trump said. “You can make more deals, but they’re very much more complicated.”
“It’s just so many countries,” he added.
Trump said countries seeking deals begin talking about specific products such as beef or ethanol, but that he would prefer to have flat tariff rates of 20%, 25% or 30% for each country.
“I’d rather send out a letter saying this is what you’re going to pay to do business in the United States,” Trump said.
Trump said he expects to send out about 10 letters per day, starting July 4.
“I’d rather just do a simple deal where you can maintain and control it,” Trump said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump plans to send 10 letters a day dictating tariff rates to countries
