Trump Administration to Notify Countries of New Tariff Rates Starting Friday

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration will begin sending official notifications to trade partners regarding updated tariff rates as early as Friday. The move comes as the U.S. pushes to conclude ongoing trade negotiations and aims to pressure countries into finalizing agreements before the July 9 deadline.

According to Trump, around 10 to 12 countries will receive letters outlining new tariff rates, which will vary significantly—ranging from 10–20% on the lower end, and up to 60–70% in some cases. “They’ll be fully covered,” Trump told reporters Thursday evening, indicating that more letters will be dispatched in the days following the initial batch.

Trump has consistently warned that countries failing to reach a trade agreement with the U.S. by the set deadline would face steep tariff hikes. So far, deals have been struck with the United Kingdom and Vietnam, while a temporary truce has been brokered with China—easing tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

Possible U.S.-India Trade Pact in the Works

On Tuesday, President Trump also hinted at the potential for a trade agreement with India, which could involve mutual tariff reductions and improved market access for U.S. companies. With a consumer base of over 1.4 billion, India represents a critical market for American exporters.

Washington has been pushing New Delhi to lower its import duties on several key agricultural products—including soybeans, wheat, corn, apples, ethanol, and dairy—all of which carry political weight in India. The U.S. is also lobbying for easier entry of genetically modified (GM) crops into the Indian market, a point of contention due to India’s longstanding concerns about food safety, environmental impact, and regulatory oversight.

India Resists U.S. Pressure, Citing Farm Sector Vulnerability

India has so far resisted U.S. demands, emphasizing the importance of protecting its small-scale farmers and national food security systems. At the heart of India’s stance is the Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime, which ensures stable incomes for millions of rural households and maintains agricultural sustainability.

With agriculture employing more than half of the country’s population, policymakers in India remain cautious. Any sharp reduction in tariffs or opening of markets could depress local crop prices, displace domestic farmers, and spark political unrest.

Moreover, allowing an influx of heavily subsidized American agricultural goods could destabilize India’s rural economy and undermine efforts toward self-reliance in food production—a goal the country has pursued for decades.