Trump: "If I receive a proposal I like, the August 1 tariff imposition date can be adjusted"

Korea Economic Daily

Summary

U.S. President Trump stated that the tariff imposition scheduled for August 1 could be adjusted depending on the outcome of negotiations.
President Trump conveyed that if the negotiating countries present a proposal he likes, the deadline for imposing tariffs could be changed.
He also suggested that there is a possibility of lowering tariff rates depending on the outcome of trade negotiations.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 7th (local time) that the plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on trading partners, including South Korea, as previously notified, could be changed depending on the outcome of negotiations.

At a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House that day, President Trump was asked if the letter sent earlier was the U.S.'s final offer. He replied, "I would say it's final, but if they (the negotiating countries) call with a different proposal and if I like that proposal, we will do so (make changes)."

Regarding whether the August 1 deadline was set in stone, President Trump said, "I'm firm, but I wouldn't say I'm 100% firm. If they call and say 'we want to do something differently,' we'll be open to that."

Previously, President Trump had informed South Korea, Japan, and others that the reciprocal tariffs originally scheduled for imposition from the 9th would be deferred and imposed from August 1. He also suggested the possibility of lowering tariff rates depending on the results of trade negotiations.

Hong Min-seong, Hankyung.com reporter mshong@hankyung.com