Trump’s Latest Tariffs: What You Need to Know About the 14 Countries Affected

Trump’s Latest Tariffs: On Monday, July 7, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced a new round of tariffs affecting 14 countries, which will take effect from August 1. Myanmar and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic will face the highest rates, with a 40% tariff imposed on their imports to the United States.

He also declared that the United States will implement a 25% tariff on all imports from Japan and South Korea starting August 1. The announcement, delivered through Trump’s Truth Social platform, was made via formal letters addressed to the leaders of both nations. The move marks a significant shift in Trump’s evolving trade policy, pushing back the original July 9 deadline for bilateral trade agreements.

In the nearly identical letters, Trump criticised the current trade dynamics with Tokyo and Seoul as “unfortunately, far from Reciprocal.” He warned that any retaliatory actions by either country would be met with increased tariffs but left the door open for negotiations, suggesting the rates could be reduced if Japan and South Korea amend their trade practices.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responded firmly, saying he would “not easily compromise” in upcoming trade discussions with Washington.

Beyond targeting Japan and South Korea, the Trump administration announced sweeping tariff hikes on imports from several other countries. These include 25% duties on goods from Malaysia and Kazakhstan, 30% on South Africa, and 40% on Laos and Myanmar. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, about a dozen more nations will soon receive similar notifications. She stressed that the administration aims to develop “customized trade frameworks for every country on Earth.”

The tariffs are part of a broader effort to address what the Trump administration describes as unfair and imbalanced trade practices that allegedly threaten U.S. economic and national security interests. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had previously hinted at multiple trade-related announcements within 48 hours, citing a surge in proposals from countries attempting to avoid higher tariffs.

Notably, the 25% tariff on Japanese imports represents a slight increase from the 24% rate initially proposed in April. The rate for South Korea remains unchanged. These new measures replace a temporary 10% tariff that had been in place for most countries during earlier negotiation phases. So far, the U.S. has only finalised limited trade agreements, primarily with the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

Here are the countries on which Donald Trump imposed tariffs
Bangladesh: 35%
Bosnia and Herzegovina: 30%
Cambodia: 36%
Indonesia: 32%
Japan: 25%
Kazakhstan: 25%
Lao People’s Democratic Republic: 40%
Malaysia: 25%
Myanmar: 40%
Republic of Serbia: 35%
Republic of Tunisia: 25%
South Africa: 30%
South Korea: 25%
Thailand: 36%

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