Trump's Tariff Talks: A Game of High Stakes

President Donald Trump has put pen to paper, signing letters to a dozen nations about tariffs on their exports to the U. S. These letters, set to be dispatched on Monday, outline the financial hit these countries might face. Trump kept the identities of these nations under wraps, promising to reveal them soon. Initially, Trump had hinted that the first round of these letters would be sent out on Friday, a public holiday. But plans changed, and now Monday is the big day. This move is part of a larger trade battle that's been shaking up global markets and keeping economists on their toes. Back in April, Trump announced a base tariff rate of 10%, with extra charges for some countries, topping out at 50%. However, these additional rates were put on hold for 90 days to give room for talks and deals. That pause ends on July 9, but Trump hinted that the tariffs could climb even higher, up to 70%, with most kicking in on August 1. Trump's approach to these tariffs has shifted over time. At first, he and his team planned to negotiate with many countries. But after facing hurdles with key trading partners like Japan and the EU, Trump seems to have lost patience with the process. This isn't just about money; it's about power and influence. Trump's tactics are putting pressure on other countries to bend to U. S. demands. But will this strategy pay off, or will it backfire, hurting both the U. S. and its trading partners?