Trump to send tariff letters to all countries - The extreme return of America First

Introduction: Trump's Return, Rekindling the Trade War

In June 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump declared that he would reopen the tariff war. In an interview with Fox News, he stated, "I will send tariff letters to all countries" and warned that countries wishing to trade with the U.S. would have to endure tariffs of 10%, 25%, 35%, and up to 50%. This statement was not merely political rhetoric. He made it clear that following the end of the tariff suspension measures on July 8, he would personally send official notices to each country regarding the imposition of tariffs, demonstrating his intent to implement these measures. This is seen as more than a simple change in trade conditions it is viewed as a signal challenging the direction of U.S. trade strategy and the very norms of the global economy. Trump stated, "Your country can now trade with the U.S., but you have to pay a 25% or 50% tariff," effectively closing off any room for negotiation. This declaration indicated a departure from multilateral trade cooperation and foreshadowed the extreme return of America First policies.

Context of 'Liberation Day' and the Customs Letter

Trump's recent remarks on tariffs were not made spontaneously. The background includes the 'Liberation Day' announced on April 2, 2025. On that day, he declared that the United States would no longer tolerate unilateral trade deficits and would impose a minimum 10% baseline tariff on all imports. Furthermore, he stated that a maximum counter-tariff of 50% would be applied to countries with significant trade imbalances. This reflects a commitment to reorganizing the existing free trade system into one that protects U.S. interests. Following this, the U.S. entered into trade renegotiations with 18 major trading partners. However, due to complex interests, most countries are struggling to find a consensus by the tariff exemption deadline of July 8. Trump has chosen to use the approach of "notification rather than negotiation," and announced that official letters specifying the tariff rates would be sent to those countries. This indicates that U.S. foreign economic policy is shifting from a negotiation-centered approach to a command-centered one.

The Substance of the Customs Letter and its Policy Implications

Trump's tariff letter is not a declarative document but a substantial policy execution tool. A basic tariff of 10% will be applied to all trading countries, and additional tariffs of 25%, 35%, or up to 50% will be levied depending on the trade deficit scale and industry sensitivity. For example, a 25% tariff is planned for Japan in the automotive sector, and South Korea is also included among the countries subject to tariffs. Although specific figures have not yet been disclosed, it is anticipated that there will be inevitable damage due to the export-oriented economic structure. Trump stated that he would deliver the tariff letter to each country's government within ten days after July 8, expressing a strong will to establish a 'transaction-centered trade order' led by the United States. The existing multilateral agreements or WTO-centered system are essentially excluded. The message that 'now we must follow the rules set by the United States' is transforming from a declaration into an actionable notification. His statement that 'negotiations are over. Conditions will be notified only' illustrates that tariffs can be utilized as tools for reshaping the international order beyond merely serving as negotiation instruments.

Responses from around the world and market tensions

Following the customs letter statement, the world quickly entered a state of heightened tension. The 18 countries negotiating with the United States are attempting to reach a compromise before the deadline, but no significant progress is evident. In particular, major trading nations such as the European Union, Japan, and South Korea have clearly expressed their opposition to the customs letter, and some countries are reportedly preparing to file complaints with the World Trade Organization (WTO). The global market's reaction is also sensitive. The imposition of tariffs is expected to increase the burden on export companies in the short term and could lead to supply chain disruptions and rising consumer prices in the long term. Major industries such as semiconductors, automobiles, and clothing are already beginning to adjust their production and export plans. Financial markets are also detecting an atmosphere of uncertainty. Should trade conflicts escalate, there are concerns that it could lead to a combination of growth slowdown and inflation instability, which may also impact monetary policies in major countries. Internally, some industries in the United States are worried about a decline in competitiveness due to rising production costs and increased supply chain complexity.

Conclusion: The 'letter' replacing diplomacy, American primacy on trial

The tariff letter championed by Donald Trump is not merely a policy document. It is a signal announcing the resurgence of an economic philosophy called 'America First' and is a direct challenge to the free trade system. Trump is reducing trade to transactions between nations rather than cooperation and mutual benefit, and he is clearly conveying the message that the U.S. will no longer incur losses in these transactions. While this can serve as a strong political message to his support base, it poses a challenge that could deepen uncertainty and division within the broader international community. Depending on how countries respond to this notification, the world could revert to trade blockades or seek possibilities for a new order. Trump's 'tariff letter' is more than just a piece of paper. It symbolizes that the global economic order is once again under scrutiny, posing the question of what choices the international community will make at the boundary between cooperation and confrontation.