President Donald Trump gave mixed messages on Monday about trade and his new Aug. 1 deadline for tariffs to go into effect.
Asked by ABC News’ Karen Travers about his administration’s stated goal to reach 90 trade deals in 90 days, Trump — two days ahead of the end of that 90-day time frame — claimed that everything was “done” and seemed to equate the tariff letters his administration began sending out Monday to completed deals.
President Donald Trump returns to the White House, July 6, 2025 in Washington.
Yuri Gripas/EPA/Shutterstock
“It’s all done,” Trump said, adding, “We’re going to say, welcome to the United States, if you’d like to participate in the greatest, most successful country ever.”
Trump also signaled that the time for negotiations is over.
“As far as I’m concerned, we’re done. We’re sending out letters to various countries telling them how much tariffs they have to pay,” Trump said.
However, when asked earlier if the new Aug. 1 deadline the White House set for these tariffs to go into effect was a firm and final date, Trump indicated it was still flexible.
“I would say firm but not 100% firm,” Trump said.
When pressed on whether the tariff letters sent out today to several countries were final offers, Trump did not offer any clarity.
“More or less final offer,” Trump said. “We’re always subject to negotiate something that’s fair but we’ve talked to most of the countries and, pretty much, they’ve had their way for many, many decades, as you know, and it was time that we just wanted fairness.”
So far, the administration has only announced a trade deal with Vietnam and framework agreements with China and the UK.
-ABC News’ Karen Travers and Hannah Demissie
