Trump Rules Out Extension of Global Tariff Pause Beyond July 9

President Donald Trump announced that the current 90-day tariff negotiation period will not be extended beyond July 9. His administration plans to inform various countries that trade penalties will take effect unless agreements are established with the United States.

Letters regarding the impending tariffs will be dispatched shortly, according to Trump. “We’ll look at how a country treats us,” he explained during a recent interview, indicating that the tariffs would vary depending on the relationship with each nation.

In a symbolic communication, Trump mentioned that the letters would contain phrases like, “Congratulations, we’re allowing you to shop in the United States of America, you’re going to pay a 25% tariff, or a 35% or a 50% or 10%.” This reflects a more aggressive stance toward trade negotiations.

Despite setting an ambitious goal of negotiating 90 trade deals in 90 days, Trump acknowledged the complexities involved. “There are 200 countries, you can’t talk to all of them,” he stated, highlighting the challenges faced by his administration.

The interview also touched on other pressing matters, such as the potential TikTok deal, U.S.-China relations, recent military actions in Iran, and immigration enforcement strategies.

Regarding TikTok, Trump revealed that a “group of very wealthy people” intends to make an offer to acquire the platform, currently owned by China’s ByteDance. While he did not disclose specifics about the investors, he expressed optimism about obtaining necessary approvals from China, indicating he will provide updates in approximately two weeks.

Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order extending TikTok’s operation in the U.S. for another 90 days to facilitate negotiations aimed at American ownership. This marks the third extension of the deadline.

On U.S. military strikes against Iran, Trump asserted that these actions “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities. He expressed concern over a leaked intelligence assessment that suggested limited damage from the strikes, suggesting legal consequences for those responsible for the leak.

Iran’s leadership has countered Trump’s claims, with officials asserting that their nuclear program remains peaceful and their right to uranium enrichment is protected under international treaties.

Trump revealed that his administration is considering a “temporary pass” allowing farm and hotel owners to manage immigration raids, a nuanced approach to his strict immigration policies. He emphasized the importance of supporting farmers while also committing to deporting criminal elements.

In the context of trade talks with China, Trump acknowledged recent progress but emphasized the necessity of substantial tariffs to establish a fair trade relationship. He remains open to lifting sanctions on Iranian oil exports to China, contingent on Iran demonstrating peaceful behavior.

In a broader discussion about U.S.-China relations, Trump noted retaliatory measures against Chinese cyber activities, reinforcing a mutual understanding of espionage tactics between the two nations.

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