White House opens up on tariffs: “July 9 deadline can be extended”

ROME – “ Perhaps it could be extended, but it is a decision that is up to the president .” It is not much, but it is something. With the statements of the White House spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, the chapter on duties has been reopened, which in the last weeks of the crisis in the Middle East, with the conflict extended to Iran , had passed into the background of the president’s agenda. The 90-day truce that Donald Trump “granted” after the well-known announcement of reciprocal duties last April with the colored blackboard should expire on July 9 .

Duties suspended for 90 days: when the suspension ends

That day, Washington had indicated the percentage of tariffs it would impose on customs depending on the country of origin of the goods. In the following 48 hours , flat duties of 10% were imposed on everyone , a few days later the official ones would come into force. With the three-month suspension, it had therefore started the negotiation phase which, however, has produced very little in these weeks. With the European Union, relations have gone from icy to tepid , with China a separate truce was found while the only significant trade agreement was signed with the United Kingdom.

Mutual tariffs, Trump may extend

Now the White House, while its emissaries are engaged in simultaneous negotiations with dozens of countries and even negotiation by letter did not seem to be a viable option, announces that there could be an extension. Spokeswoman Leavitt was asked if there were plans to extend the suspension of customs duties on goods, and she admitted that the July 9 deadline " is not to be understood as decisive ." She stressed that President Trump will have the final say and decide on the matter, but she opened up to the possibility that it could be postponed. In the hope that in the meantime an agreement can be found with some partner.