Washington: US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Washington will impose tariffs of 20-30% on goods from seven countries set to start August 1. The Philippines will face 20% tariffs, Brunei and Moldova 25%, while Sri Lanka, Iraq, Algeria, and Libya will face 30% rates, according to letters Trump shared on Truth Social.

According to Anadolu Agency, Trump addressed the leaders of these countries in separate messages, stating, "We have decided to move forward with you, but only with more balanced, and fair, TRADE." He emphasized that the tariff levels are "far less than what is needed to eliminate the Trade Deficit disparity we have with your Country."

Trump also warned that goods transshipped to evade higher tariffs would be subject to those higher rates. He cautioned the leaders that any tariff increases by their countries would be added to US rates. Furthermore, the tariffs are described as "necessary to correct" many years of tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers, which have led to "unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States," as articulated in Trump's letters.

The announcement is a follow-up to Trump's earlier warning that he would send letters outlining new tariff rates starting Monday. Previously, he announced 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea, also set to begin on August 1. Trump later expanded the list to include a dozen more countries, with varying tariff rates: 25% for Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Tunisia; 30% on South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina; 32% on Indonesia; 35% on Serbia and Bangladesh; 36% on Cambodia and Thailand; and 40% on Laos and Myanmar. An executive order signed on Monday extended the implementation of reciprocal tariffs to August 1.