Trump Pauses “Reciprocal” Tariffs for Most Countries
In a twist that’s becoming all too familiar, former President Donald Trump has now doubled down on the August 1, 2025, tariff deadline—just hours after suggesting it might be flexible.
So, What’s the Deal?
On Tuesday, Trump posted on Truth Social declaring the tariff deadline is absolutely final. “There has been no change to this date, and there will be no change,” he wrote. “All money will be due and payable starting AUGUST 1, 2025 — No extensions will be granted.”
That’s a sharp reversal from what he said Monday night at the White House. When asked whether the August 1 deadline was set in stone, Trump responded, “It’s firm but not 100% firm,” leaving room for negotiation based on trade offers from other countries.
Why It Matters
This flip-flop highlights one of the biggest challenges in trade policy under Trump: uncertainty. Businesses, markets, and even foreign governments are left guessing about what’s really going to happen.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Trump first imposed tariffs on April 2
- Then paused them for 90 days on April 9
- A few days before the July 9 deadline, he announced a new August 1 deadline
- Now, in less than 24 hours, he’s set the deadline, called it flexible, and then made it firm again
Market Reaction
The stock market didn’t take the mixed messages well:
- Stocks dipped to session lows after the announcement, then bounced back slightly.
- Consumer discretionary stocks—which are most sensitive to tariffs—also took a hit before recovering.
Bottom Line
While Trump now insists August 1 is the final deadline for tariffs, his recent back-and-forth has only added to the confusion. For businesses and global partners, planning around U.S. trade policy continues to be a moving target.