THE White House has downplayed the significance of President Donald Trump’s impending July deadlines to reimpose steep tariffs on imports from most nations, suggesting they could be delayed if trade talks show progress.
“The July 8 and 9 deadlines are not critical,” CNBC cited White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt telling reporters on Thursday, adding: “Perhaps it could be extended, but that’s a decision for the president to make.”
Leavitt said the United States would prefer to secure trade deals before the deadlines, but indicated the president retains the authority to act unilaterally if needed. “The president can simply provide these countries with a deal,” she said. “And that means the president can pick a reciprocal tariff rate that he believes is advantageous for the United States, and for the American worker.”
Her comments, which boosted stock markets to session highs, are the latest indication that the administration may show flexibility regarding its own timelines.
In April, President Trump introduced so-called reciprocal tariffs on imports from nearly all countries. However, on 9 April, he issued a 90-day pause on tariffs above 10%, giving nations time to negotiate. That suspension is due to expire on 8 July.
In a separate move, Trump in May threatened to raise duties on European Union goods to 50% but agreed to postpone the measure until 9 July following a request from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for more time to finalise a deal.
Earlier on Thursday, Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, Stephen Miran, told Yahoo Finance he expected the deadlines would be extended for countries negotiating in “good faith”. “I don’t see why \[tariff] rates would snap back higher,” he said.
In testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee in June, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it was “highly likely” the administration would delay the broader tariff reimposition beyond 10% past the 8 July deadline.
Initially, Trump officials had predicted that 90 trade deals could be secured in 90 days. So far, agreements have been reached with China and the United Kingdom, though both are described as frameworks rather than full accords.
Talks with India are reportedly nearing completion, though a final agreement has yet to emerge. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said this week the administration is “very, very close” with several countries.
He added that formal announcements on trade deals could come shortly after Congress passes a key tax-and-spending bill Trump hopes to sign by 4 July. “I think you’re going to see a sequence of trade bills starting around that date,” Hassett told Fox Business. - June 27, 2025
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