U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters on the U.S. Capitol as Republican lawmakers battle to move U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping spending and tax invoice, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 27, 2025.
Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated Sunday that tariffs introduced again in April will take impact on Aug. 1 for international locations that haven’t reached an settlement with President Donald Trump’s administration.
“President Trump’s going to be sending letters to a few of our buying and selling companions saying that in the event you do not transfer issues alongside, then on August 1, you’ll boomerang again to your April 2 tariff stage,” Bessent stated on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
On Aug. 1, international locations will “get a letter saying that if we now have not reached an settlement, then you’ll return to the April 2 stage,” he stated.
Bessent rejected the concept that Aug. 1 is one more new tariff deadline, however the August date might nonetheless give buying and selling companions extra time to renegotiate tariff charges.
“We’re saying that is when it is occurring, if you wish to pace issues up, have at it, if you wish to return to the outdated fee that is your selection,” Bessent stated.
In April, Trump introduced a 90-day pause on the steep tariffs he had unveiled simply days prior on most main buying and selling companions. That 90-day pause is because of expire on Wednesday, sparking concern amongst traders and U.S. buying and selling companions.
The White Home didn’t instantly reply to CNBC’s request for touch upon Bessent’s remarks.
Bessent’s feedback come after Trump final week stated the administration would ship roughly a dozen letters to buying and selling companions on Monday notifying them of their tariff charges efficient Aug. 1.
“They will begin to pay on August 1. The cash will begin to come into america on August 1, in just about all circumstances,” Trump advised reporters on Friday.
Bessent steered that new commerce offers may very well be introduced quickly.
“I’d count on to see a number of huge bulletins over the following couple of days,” he stated, when requested about whether or not the administration is near any offers earlier than Wednesday.