Trump says U.S. could send letters setting tariff rates rather than extend deadline—‘Dear Mr. Japan, here’s the story’

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• President Donald Trump said that although trade negotiations are still ongoing, he would rather send countries a letter that lays out the tariff rates they face and not extend the July 9 deadline, when the halt on his “reciprocal tariffs” will expire. Trump previously vowed to send similar letters in May and earlier this month, though talks continued.

The U.S. is still engaged in trade negotiations during a temporary pause on aggressive “reciprocal tariffs,” but President Donald Trump said he could instead send letters to countries that set the rates they will face.