Trump Threatens 15–20% Tariffs on Non-Compliant Nations, Targets Canada with 35%

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is considering imposing a blanket tariff of 15 or 20 percent on countries that have not yet received specific notifications from the United States, with the measures set to take effect on August 1.

According to the details, this move comes as part of a broader campaign to pressure America’s trading partners into renegotiating trade deals more favorable to the US. Earlier this week, Trump began sending letters to over 20 countries, detailing country-specific tariff increases ranging from 20 to 50 percent — with Brazil facing the highest rate.

In the letters, Trump warned that any retaliatory tariff hikes by recipient countries would be met with even higher US tariffs. During an interview with NBC News, Trump addressed the remaining countries that have not received such letters, suggesting they would face a general 15 to 20 percent tariff.

“We’re just going to say all of the remaining countries are going to pay, whether it’s 20 percent or 15 percent. We’ll work that out now,” Trump said, according to NBC News.

It remains unclear whether the proposed blanket tariffs represent an increase from the existing 10 percent universal tariff introduced under Trump’s “Liberation Day” trade policy in April. That policy had initially set a 10 percent baseline on nearly all imports, with significantly higher “reciprocal” tariffs for dozens of specific countries. Originally set to take effect on July 9, the implementation date has now been moved to August 1 to allow for ongoing trade negotiations.

Trump’s Letter to Canada

Starting August 1, Canadian exports to the US will face a 35% tariff, according to a letter President Donald Trump sent to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday. This announcement is part of a broader series of over 20 similar letters Trump has issued since Monday, escalating his trade war rhetoric against numerous countries.

Canada and the US have been engaged in trade talks, aiming to finalize a deal by July 21. However, Trump’s latest tariff threat appears to have pushed that target back. Both Canada and Mexico are now working to address Trump’s demands in hopes of salvaging the trilateral trade agreement known as the USMCA.

Carney responded on the social platform X, stating that Canada remains committed to defending its workers and businesses, and will continue to do so as negotiations now aim for the new August 1 deadline.

The USMCA, which replaced NAFTA in July 2020 following Trump’s successful push for renegotiation during his first term, was set for a review by July of next year. However, Trump’s renewed trade measures, launched after he assumed office in January, have disrupted the process.

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