U.S. threatens nations as tariffs loom

Trump raises issues with Canada, India, Brazil

By: Francesca Chambers
USA Today

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump introduced last-minute stumbling blocks for several nations seeking reprieves on trade. Trump's reciprocal tariffs were slated to go into effect just after midnight August 1. [2025]
.... Irked by Canada's support for Palestinian statehood, India's purchase of Russian oil and Brazil's prosecution of its former president, Trump threatened to punish those nations with higher tariffs regardless of whether the actions directly harm U's. exports or exacerbate existing trade deficits.
..... In a Truth Social Post just after midnight July 31, [2025] Trump linked Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney;s announcement that his country would recognizing Palestinian statehood to the negotiation with Ottawa to stop a 35% tariff from going into effect at 10:01 AM. ET on August 1. [2025]
..... "Wow! Canada has just announced that ti is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh' Canada!!!" Trump said, referencing the northern country's anthem.
..... Trump made a flurry of deals with America's trading partners as his August 1 [2025] deadline approached including agreements with South Korea and Pakistan and a trade pact wit the European Union. Other counties that had been paying a baseline tariff of 10% and did not enter into a separate arrangement with the United States may see their duties go up.
..... After speaking by phone to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on July 31, [2205] Trump extended Mexico a further reprieve of 90 days - or possibly longer - to continue negotiations, which he said were complicated by the countries' shared border.
..... Mexico had been facing a 30% tariff on nonexempt goods. instead, for now, Mexico will continue to pay a 25% Fentanyl Tariff, 25% tariff on Cars, and 50% Tariff on Steel, Aluminum, and Copper," Trump said on Truth Social. He said Mexico agreed to :immediately terminate" all its non-tariff barres, without providing further details.
..... However, Trump officially moved forward July 30 [2025] with a previously announced 50% global tariff on copper products aimed at reducing what his administration described as an "unsustainable dependence," Copper, the White House said, is the defense Department's second-most sued material.
..... Also on July 30, [2025] Trump issued an executive order raising tariffs on Brazil to 50% for "unusual and extraordinary policies and actions harming U.S. companies, the fee speech rights of U.S. persons, U.S. foreign policy, and the U.S. economy," according to a White House news release.
..... The White House specified the nation's prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro as a reason for higher import fees on some goods, decrying what it called Brazil's "politically motivated persecution, , intimidation, harassment, censorship, and prosecution" of Bolsonaro "and thousands of his supporters."
..... The administration sanctioned the judge in the case in a separate action on the same day.
..... The political motivations for economic decisions continued in Trump's announcement that he would hit India for purchasing Russian oil, which has helped to prolong President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine.
..... Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had previously issued a sharp warning to Trump over his threats to put steep tariffs on purchasers of Russian oil. In return, Trump needled him of social media.
..... Trump also took aim at India;s participation in the BRICS economic group. the club rivals the Group of Seven economic alliance for advanced economies and has discussed creating an alternative currency to the dollar.
..... "We're not going to let anybody attack the dollar," Trump said.
..... The South Korea deal entails $350 billion in Trump-selected investments in the United States, the purchase of $100 billion of liquefied natural gas and a 15% tariff on imports. America will not be charged a corresponding tariff by South Korea. Trump said in a social media post.
..... South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung will visit in August [2025] and announce another "large" investment, Trump wrote.
..... In another post, Trump said he had come to an agreement with Pakistan, "whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves." He said the nations were in the process of selecting an oil company to lead the partnership.
..... Trump's administration has continued to negotiate with China, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said July 31 [2025] on CNBC that the United States believes an agreement is close at hand.
..... China faces a separate August 12 [2025] deadline to reach an agreement with the United States.
..... However, the tariffs may be headed for rocky legal terrain. U.S. appeals court July 31 [2025] that they were skeptical the president has the authority to impose them without congressional approval.
..... Justice Department lawyers Brett Shumate argued that Trump can sue the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose the levies.
..... "IEEPA doesn't even say 'tariffs,' judges interjected.
..... There are at least seven other lawsuits challenging Trump's invocation of the economic powers law

..... Contributing: Reuters

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