WASHINGTON ―President Donald Trumpsays he's not extending his latest tariff deadline any further as the latest the Republican's administration escalates itspressure campaignon longtime U.S. allies to negotiate new trade deals. Trump said he's sticking to a new Aug. 1 starting date for higher tariffs to go into effectas he sends letters to leaders of nationsacross the world alerting them to new U.S. tariff rates on goods from their countries. "There has been no change to this date, and there will be no change. In other words, all money will be due and payable starting AUGUST 1, 2025,"Trump said in a July 8 poston Truth Social. "No extensions will be granted." More:Trump announces tariff hikes on 14 countries including Indonesia and South Africa Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has taken an on-and-off-again approach to his tariff regime ‒ routinely threatening new fees on goods that he retreats from later. His past efforts haveearned him a nicknameamong Wall Street financial analysts called "TACO trade," an acronym that stands for "Trump always chickens out." Steep"reciprocal" tariffsthat Trump initially imposed in early April ‒but soon after paused for 90 daysamid market turbulence ‒ were set to go back into effect July 9. But Trump on July 7extended the deadline to Aug. 1after his administration has struggled to secure trade deals with other nations during the pause. More:Trump says 25% tariffs coming for Japan and South Korea as trade war escalates again Trump on Monday announced new tariff rates for 14 countries ranging from 25% to 40%. He said each will go into effect Aug. 1. They include 25% tariffson imports from Japan and South Korea, major U.S. trading partners. Dozens of more letters to additional countries are expected to go out July 8 and July 9. More:Trump erupts when asked about 'TACO trade' ― a new nickname mocking his tariff approach The new tariffs would more than double, and in some cases quadruple, the fees on imports. Since April, the Trump administration has been imposing a 10% universal tariff on goods from most countries. Top White House trade adviser Peter Navarro had predicted the administration would reach 90 trade deals in 90 days because of the threat of higher tariffs facing countries. But so far, Trump has reached trade agreements with only the United Kingdom and Vietnam. Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:President Trump vows his new deadline on tariffs is a firm one
