Is it 'TACO' again… Appeared to apply pressure, but ultimately postponed the tariffs

Forbes "Trump's 27th reversal"

As U.S. President Donald Trump postponed the implementation date for reciprocal tariffs, which he had already delayed for 90 days to July 9, once again to August 1, some observers are evaluating that the phrase 'TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out)' rings true yet again. It’s because he had categorically insisted just days before that there would be "no additional extension," but then reversed his own statement.

The American business magazine Forbes pointed out that this latest extension of tariff implementation marks the Trump administration’s "27th reversal," highlighting the previous examples of changes in tariff policies.

Forbes reported, "Deutsche Bank analysts had anticipated this postponement and suggested the possibility of further concessions by the Trump administration," and added, "there is a solidifying perception in the market that (Trump) will step back from extreme tariff threats." NBC also reported, "The market already regarded the July 8 deadline as meaningless."

On the 1st, when President Trump was asked whether he would extend the reciprocal tariff postponement, he replied, "No." However, by sending a letter outlining tariff rates to 14 countries, he actually set the effective date for August 1.

Additionally, at the White House on the 7th (local time), when questioned, "Is the August 1 deadline firm?" he answered, "I am firm, but I would not say 100% firm," adding, "If they (the negotiating countries) call and say 'We want to do it another way,' we will be open to that."

Reporter Dayeon Lim allopen@hankyung.com