WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced he will not extend a 90-day pause on tariffs against most countries beyond the July 9 deadline. The pause, intended to open avenues for negotiations, will expire if no agreements are reached with the United States. In an interview with Fox News, Trump indicated that notification letters to various nations would be dispatched soon, signaling the impending resumption of trade penalties.
“We’ll assess how countries interact with us,” Trump stated, emphasizing that some nations may not be prioritized in negotiations. He referenced potential tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%, remarking, “Congratulations, we’re allowing you to shop in the United States of America.” The administration aimed to finalize 90 trade agreements in the initial 90-day period, although Trump acknowledged the complexity of engaging with all 200 countries involved.
The President also addressed ongoing discussions surrounding TikTok, the popular social media app owned by China’s ByteDance. He revealed that a consortium of affluent investors is poised to submit an offer to acquire the platform. “I think I’ll need, probably, China’s approval,” Trump remarked, expressing optimism that Chinese President Xi Jinping would support the deal. Specific details are anticipated to follow within two weeks, a timeframe Trump frequently cites in relation to various decisions.
In a recent executive order, Trump extended TikTok’s operational timeframe in the U.S. for an additional 90 days to allow for potential buyout negotiations. This marks the third extension of the deadline since his administration took office.
On the Iran issue, Trump claimed that recent U.S. military strikes severely weakened Iran’s nuclear program. He asserted that Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon prior to the strikes, which he described as having “obliterated” their capabilities. Following these claims, Iran’s leadership, including its supreme leader, dismissed Trump’s assertions as exaggerated.
In response to an emerging controversy regarding leaked intelligence assessments, Trump suggested that any individuals responsible for the leak should be prosecuted. The U.S. intelligence community had reportedly evaluated that the impact of the strikes on Iran’s nuclear progress was less severe than claimed by the President.
In immigration matters, Trump revealed plans for a “temporary pass” aimed at easing the impact of immigration enforcement on the agricultural and hospitality sectors. He characterized himself as “the strongest immigration guy” while acknowledging that strict enforcement could adversely affect farmers who rely on labor from immigrant workers. Discussions are underway to create a system that allows farmers to manage immigration raids more effectively.
The status of U.S.-China trade relations remains a central theme as Trump highlighted a recent agreement concerning rare earth exports. He reiterated that while constructive relations with China are desirable, substantial tariffs are necessary to address the trade imbalance. Responding to concerns over China’s alleged cyber activities, he maintained that the U.S. would not shy away from reciprocal measures.
As negotiations and discussions unfold, the administration’s approach to trade and international relations continues to evoke a mixture of optimism and scrutiny, underscoring the complexities of global diplomacy in an increasingly interconnected world.