Trump says he won't extend July 9 trade deadline: Reuters

Trump says he won't extend July 9 trade deadline: Reuters

President Donald Trump has reiterated his stance that he will not extend the July 9 deadline for countries to negotiate trade deals with the U.S., as reported by Reuters. During a press conference on Air Force One, Trump expressed skepticism about the likelihood of reaching an agreement with Japan, stating, "We've dealt with Japan. I'm not sure we're going to make a deal. I doubt it" [1].

Trump also hinted at potential tariff increases on Japanese imports, suggesting rates of "30% or 35% or whatever the number is that we determine," which is significantly higher than the 24% tariff rate he initially announced and later paused [1]. This threat comes as the Trump administration is reportedly shifting its focus from pursuing large trade deals to smaller, quicker agreements to avoid the imposition of these higher tariffs [2].

The July 9 deadline is fast approaching, and the U.S. administration has been sending mixed signals about its flexibility. While Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that "recalcitrant" countries would face steep "Liberation Day" tariffs, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested that the deadline remains open for extension [3]. The European Union has signaled its willingness to accept a 10% universal tariff on many of its exports but is seeking exemptions for specific sectors like pharmaceuticals, alcohol, semiconductors, and commercial aircraft [2].

Trump's administration has been actively negotiating with several countries, including India, Japan, South Korea, and China, with some progress made but no final agreements announced yet [3]. The White House has indicated that it will send letters to countries that fail to reach a deal, outlining the tariff rates they will face, ranging from 10% to 50% [3].

In summary, President Trump has made it clear that he will not extend the July 9 trade deadline and has threatened higher tariffs on key trading partners like Japan. The administration is focusing on smaller trade deals to avoid these tariffs while continuing negotiations with several countries. The deadline's potential extension remains uncertain, with mixed signals from the White House.

References:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/trump-says-he-wont-extend-july-9-trade-deadline-expresses-doubt-japan-deal-2025-07-01/
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/trump-tariffs-live-updates-trump-pursues-mini-trade-deals-as-tariff-deadline-nears-200619892.html
[3] https://indianexpress.com/article/world/july-9-tariff-deadline-know-about-trump-administration-trade-deals-10097047/