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Trump eyes 'world tariff' of 15-20% for most countries

The announcements have spurred feverish negotiations by a host of countries seeking lower tariff rates, including India, Pakistan, Canada, and Thailand, among others.

A container is loaded onto a cargo ship while docked at a port under the Port Authority of Thailand, following the announcement that U.S. President Donald Trump would impose tariffs of 36% on goods from Thailand starting on August 1, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 8, 2025. / REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

President Donald Trump said on July 28 most trading partners that do not negotiate separate trade deals would soon face tariffs of 15 to 20 percent on their exports to the United States, well above the broad 10 percent tariff he imposed in April.

Trump told reporters his administration will notify some 200 countries soon of their new "world tariff" rate.

"I would say it'll be somewhere in the 15 to 20 percent range," Trump told reporters, sitting alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his luxury golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland. "Probably one of those two numbers."

Trump, who has vowed to end decades of U.S. trade deficits by imposing tariffs on nearly all trading partners, has already announced higher rates of up to 50 percent on some countries, including Brazil, starting on July 25.

The announcements have spurred feverish negotiations by a host of countries seeking lower tariff rates, including India, Pakistan, Canada, and Thailand, among others.

The U.S. president on July 27 clinched a huge trade deal with the European Union that includes a 15 percent tariff on most EU goods, $600 billion of investments in the U.S. by European firms, and $750 billion in energy purchases over the next three years.

ALSO READ: US and EU avert trade war with 15% tariff deal

That followed a $550-billion deal with Japan last week and smaller agreements with Britain, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Other talks are ongoing, including with India, but prospects have dimmed for many more agreements before July 25, Trump's deadline for deals before higher rates take effect.

Trump has repeatedly said he favors straightforward tariff rates over complex negotiations.

"We're going to be setting a tariff for essentially, the rest of the world," he said again on July 28. "And that's what they're going to pay if they want to do business in the United States. Because you can't sit down and make 200 deals."

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on July 28 trade talks with the U.S. were at an intense phase, conceding that his country was still hoping to walk away with a tariff rate below the 35 percent announced by Trump on some Canadian imports.

Carney conceded this month that Canada - which sends 75 percent of its exports to the United States - would likely have to accept some tariffs.

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