Factbox / Trump letters and who's talking: State of play as tariff deadline nears
US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, on July 6, 2025, en route to Washington after spending the weekend at his residence in Bedminster, New Jersey. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)Here's the state of play for several US trading partners facing deadlines this week:
EUROPEAN UNION
US officials said they were making good progress with the 27-member European Union, after its top trade negotiator Maros Sefcovic met with officials in Washington last week. EU diplomats said talks were continuing but they had not achieved a breakthrough as of Friday.
One EU diplomat said the bloc's regulations on social media and other technology companies, stricter than those in the US, were not up for negotiation, and a 17% tariff proposed by the US side on agriculture and food exports remained a big hurdle.
EU officials have said they are open to a US deal that would apply a universal 10% tariff on many of its exports, but want to secure exemptions from sectoral tariffs already in place or planned for pharmaceuticals, alcohol, semiconductors, and commercial aircraft, Bloomberg reported.
The EU is also pushing for US quotas and exemptions to effectively ease Washington's 25% tariff on automobiles and auto parts, as well as its 50% tariff on steel and aluminum, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
JAPAN
Japan says it is continuing to seek an agreement with the US while defending its national interest. Japan's tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa held "in-depth exchanges" over the phone with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday and Saturday, the Japanese government said.
The discussions came after Trump this week hammered Japan over what he said was Tokyo's reluctance to import US-grown rice, and accusing Japan of engaging in "unfair" autos trade. He has also called on Japan to import more US oil.
On Monday, Trump said Japan could be among those receiving a tariff letter, and suggested it could face duties of up to 35%.
INDIA
Trump has long promised a trade deal with India, but talks have stalled on disagreements over US tariffs on auto components, steel and agricultural goods.
India, which is facing 26% tariffs on its exports to the US, has signaled it is ready to slash its high tariff rates for the US but has not conceded on Washington's demands for opening up the agriculture and dairy sectors.
On Friday, New Delhi also proposed retaliatory duties against the US at the World Trade Organization, saying Washington's separate 25% tariff on automobiles and some auto parts would affect $2.89 billion of India's exports.
INDONESIA
Indonesia has offered to cut duties on key imports from the United States to "near zero" and to buy $500 million worth of US wheat as part of its tariff talks to avert a 32% tariff rate. State-owned carrier Garuda Indonesia GIAA.JK also plans to buy more Boeing planes as part of a $34 billion pact with US partners due to be signed this week.
Accused by some other countries of excessive red tape, Indonesia eased import licensing requirements for some goods and waived import restrictions on plastics, chemical products and other industrial raw materials on June 30, a goodwill gesture ahead of the July 9 deadline. Indonesia has also invited the US to jointly invest in a state-owned Indonesian minerals project as part of its tariff negotiations.
SOUTH KOREA
Despite frequent rounds of talks and some preliminary agreements, South Korea had said it would seek an extension on Trump's July 9 deadline, although talks will continue this week.
Wi Sung-lac, President Lee Jae Myung's national security adviser, plans to visit Washington during July 6-8 to discuss a range of bilateral issues. The country's trade minister, Yeo Han-koo was also due to meet with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and other US officials.
South Korea already imposes virtually no tariffs on US imported goods under a free-trade agreement, and so the US has focused on other issues, including foreign exchange rates and defense costs. Trump often complains about the cost-sharing arrangement for the 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea.
THAILAND
Thailand is making a last-ditch effort to avert a 36% tariff by offering greater market access for US farm and industrial goods, along with increased purchases of US energy and Boeing BA.N jets, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira told Bloomberg News on Sunday.
Thailand's proposals have included reducing its own tariffs, purchasing more American goods and increasing investments.
Thailand's initial proposal included measures to enhance market access for US exports and tackle transshipment violations, as well as Thai investment that would create US jobs. Bangkok said also pledged to import more US natural gas and cut tariffs on imports of corn from the United States.
SWITZERLAND
Switzerland is exploring what concessions it can make to avert a 31% tariff rate on goods it ships to the US, including granting the US greater market access for produce like seafood and citrus fruits.
But as home to pharmaceutical giants Roche and Novartis, both big US investors, Switzerland also wants assurances that it can avert pharmaceutical tariffs that Trump has threatened to impose at a later date.
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