Trump Delays New Tariff Decision Until August

US President Donald Trump has decided to postpone the planned increase in tariffs on imports until August 1. The move is seen as a temporary pause in an increasingly tense global trade environment, giving other countries a window to respond or negotiate.

According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, around 95% of America's trade deficit comes from just 18 countries. Among them, Japan and South Korea have been at the center of growing trade disagreements. The BBC reports that tensions with these two key allies have deepened in recent weeks. In a notable remark, Japan’s finance minister suggested that Tokyo could use its significant holdings of US debt as leverage, hinting at the complex financial interdependence between the two nations.

In the midst of these developments, trade figures are already showing signs of impact. US imports from China have fallen by 9.7%, while imports from other countries have risen by about 6%. This shift suggests that global supply chains are adjusting in response to US trade policies.

Currently, the US is imposing an average tariff rate of around 15%, a sharp rise from the historical range of 2–4% over the past four decades. As the Trump administration pushes forward with its aggressive trade stance, countries around the world are reassessing their own economic strategies and preparing for a potentially prolonged period of trade friction.