(PRESS RELEASE) Over the last week, President Trump has used Truth Social to publish a series of letters sent to various countries, informing those countries of country-specific tariff rates scheduled to go into effect on August 1, 2025. While no official action has been taken to implement these rates, such as the issuance of an Executive Order, or notice issued, such as publication in the Federal Register, members should, nevertheless, plan for the following rates to go into effect on August 1:
| Country |
Proposed August 1 Rate |
| Philippines |
20% |
| Vietnam |
20% |
| Brunei |
25% |
| Japan |
25% |
| Kazakhstan |
25% |
| Malaysia |
25% |
| Moldova |
25% |
| South Korea |
25% |
| Tunisia |
25% |
| Algeria |
30% |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina |
30% |
| EU |
30% |
| Iraq |
30% |
| Libya |
30% |
| Mexico |
30% |
| South Africa |
30% |
| Sri Lanka |
30% |
| Indonesia |
32% |
| Bangladesh |
35% |
| Canada |
35% |
| Serbia |
35% |
| Cambodia |
36% |
| Thailand |
36% |
| Laos |
40% |
| Myanmar |
40% |
| Brazil |
50% |
What does this mean for goods from China?
Goods from China are scheduled to remain at 10 percent until August 12, when that rate is scheduled to escalate to a purported 55 percent level.
What about goods from Canada and Mexico?
In his letter to Canada, President Trump said that goods that qualified under the United States, Mexico and Canada Free Trade Agreement (USMCA) would be shielded from the reciprocal duty. The letter to Mexico, however, did not contain such language.
What about goods from countries without a country-specific rate?
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It is unknown whether goods that originate in countries without a country-specific tariff rate will remain at the current additional 10 percent rate; in an interview last Thursday, President Trump floated raising all other rates to 15-20%.
What’s next?
The letters sent to the various heads of state encouraged bi-lateral negotiations, which could lower the proposed rates before August 1. Likewise, President Trump threatened to raise the rates if any of the above countries were to impose retaliatory duties against U.S. origin goods.
Little else is known about these new rates because nothing has been published yet. The new rates are being issued pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which two trial-level courts have held cannot be used by President Trump to impose new customs duties. Both cases are on appeal, with a hearing scheduled in one of the cases for July 31, so until a final decision is reached by those courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court likely thereafter, members should expect the President to continue basing his actions on the IEEPA.
Are there exceptions for goods in transit?
Members should not expect any leeway for in-transit goods, so plan to have your shipments entered for consumption in the U.S. (or withdrawn for consumption from a warehouse) before 12:01 a.m. EDT on August 1 to avoid the tariffs.
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How will goods containing copper be affected?
Also, President Trump announced that the Department of Commerce has completed its section 232 investigation into the copper industry. He said he believed the rate would be 50 percent, but that will be confirmed once Commerce’s decision is published. At that time the scope of products impacted, and the implementation date, will be revealed.
How can we help you?
The Vision Council will keep its members up to date on this very fluid situation. If you have any questions about this alert or the topic, please contact Omar Elkhatib, Senior Manager of Government Relations, at [email protected], or Rick Van Arnam, Regulatory Affairs Counsel, at [email protected].
Our Tariff Developments page will be updated with the latest information and resources.
