Trump tariff letters: US president sends letters to Iraq, Moldova, Libya and four other countries

US President Donald Trump released a new set of letters to trading nations on Wednesday (July 9) that outlined tariff rates for seven countries as Washington continues to drive toward ushering in a spate of trade agreements officials have vowed. The letters, written to the leaders of economies such as the Philippines, Brunei, Algeria, Libya, Iraq and Sri Lanka laid out the duties ranging from 20 percent to 30 percent.

Like Trump's initial set of documents released on Monday (July 7), the levels of tariffs weren't far from the original April threats, even if some partners were given substantially lower levels this time. Whereas the president in April charged a 10 percent tariff on nearly all trading partners, he released -- then shelved -- steeper rates for several dozen economies.

Here is the list of the new tariffs:

1. 30% on Algeria
2. 25% on Brunei
3. 30% on Iraq
4. 30% on Libya
5. 25% on Moldova
6. 25% on Philippines
7. 30% on Sri Lanka

The deadline for imposition of these higher levels had been set to be Wednesday, before Trump extended it again to August 1. Instead, countries who are subject to these threats of higher duties started getting letters enumerating US tariff rates on their goods. Trump's most recent statements were virtually identical to those released earlier in the week, and defended the tariffs as a reaction to trade relationships that have been "unfortunately, far from reciprocal."

They called on countries to produce items in different countries within the United States but not there in an effort to shun duties, threatening more to suppress further if leaders responded to the tariffs.

In addition to the tariffs on merchandise from various nations, Trump has also implemented sector-specific tariffs on steel, aluminum and cars since returning to the White House last January.

Trump announced tariffs were on their way for copper and drugs too, on Tuesday (July 8).

On Monday, Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on all imports from Japan and South Korea, accusing both nations of unfair trade practices. In official letters sent to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Trump said the new tariffs will take effect from August 1. Earlier, Trump said that he plans to send “12, maybe 15” letters to major trading partners announcing new tariffs.