Breaking: Trump to Impose Unilateral “Take‑It‑Or‑Leave‑It” Tariffs Within Two Weeks

Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Right‑Leaning

Why: Focuses on strong executive action, uses assertive language favoring national advantage.

The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

President Donald Trump has announced his intent to send formal notifications to U.S. trading partners within the next one to two weeks, setting new unilateral tariffs on a take‑it‑or‑leave‑it basis. This move marks a sharp pivot from prolonged trade negotiations and intensifies a pattern of aggressive tariff policy under his leadership.

Timing and Context

The announcement coincides with the 90‑day pause on previously planned reciprocal tariffs, which is set to end July 9, 2025.
Trump confirmed the decision at the Kennedy Center during a public appearance, stating, "At a certain point, we’re just going to send letters. You can take it or leave it."

Scope of Tariffs

The plan targets approximately 150 countries, though formal negotiations remain active with about 15, including Japan and South Korea.
Countries presently in negotiation—such as the EU—could still secure deals before tariffs take effect.

Market and Economic Response

The announcement sparked immediate market reactions:
- The U.S. dollar dropped sharply, falling to a three‑year low on expectations of global trade tension.
- Equity futures in the U.S. and Europe declined, while safe-haven assets like gold and U.S. Treasuries saw gains.

Legal and Policy Background

The impending action follows months of escalatory tariff measures stemming from Trump’s April 2 "Liberation Day" tariff policy, which applied a 10% baseline tariff globally plus higher “reciprocal” tariffs.
A federal court ruled in May 2025 that the invocation of the IEEPA to authorize these tariffs was unlawful, but the ruling is currently stayed pending appeal.

Global Trade Dynamics

A partial trade truce with China—negotiated in London and Geneva—had eased tariffs to 30–55% on certain goods, and China agreed to resume exports of rare-earth minerals.
Previous threats, like a 50% tariff on EU imports and 25% on smartphones, escalated tensions earlier in May, though some were later postponed.

Political Implications

Supporters view the strategy as a decisive defense of U.S. industries, reclaiming leverage in trade talks.
Critics argue it could damage American manufacturers and consumers by making imports more expensive, while global markets grow wary of policy unpredictability.

What to Watch

Letters delivered: These formal notifications could come as soon as mid‑June.
Market volatility: Look for reactions in currency, equities, and commodity markets.
Negotiation outcomes: Will key trade partners successfully secure deals before tariffs hit?
Judicial review: The Federal Circuit’s pending appeal may define the legal scope of presidential trade powers.

The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether Trump’s assertive “take‑it‑or‑leave‑it” tariff strategy can reshape U.S. trade policy—or become another flashpoint in global economic tensions.