Trump is preparing letters with tariffs for partners because he can't negotiate with everyone
US President Donald Trump said he would set tariff rates for trading partners "within the next two to three weeks," noting that his administration does not have the capacity to negotiate with all countries at the same time, Bloomberg reports.
Trump said that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick would "send out letters essentially telling people" how much "they will pay to do business in the United States."
"I think we'll be very honest. But it's impossible to meet with the number of people who want to see us," Trump said.
The US president claims there are "150 countries that want to make a deal."
Although the Trump administration has prioritized trade negotiations with more than a dozen countries, a lack of human resources makes it impossible to simultaneously negotiate with all countries included in the so-called "reciprocal tariff plan."
Negotiations are currently underway with several countries, including Japan, South Korea, India, and the European Union.
Trump recently agreed to a trade deal with the UK and a reciprocal temporary tariff reduction with China to buy more time for negotiations.
- In early April 2025, Trump announced the introduction of "reciprocal" tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%. Having received requests for negotiations from more than 75 countries, the US suspended them for 90 days (for most countries, a 10% tariff will apply).
- Trump claimed that countries were calling him and "kissing his ass" to make a trade deal.
- On May 8, the US signed a trade agreement with the UK – so far the only country against which tariffs have been imposed.
