Trump’s Tariff Announcement: Decision Within Two to Three Weeks

Within the next two to three weeks, U.S. President Trump will decide on tariffs for America’s trading partners, according to his own statements. Specifically, Trump stated today (May 16, 2025) that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besed and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick “will send letters essentially telling people” what they “will pay to operate in the United States.” “I think we’ll be very fair with the tariffs. But it’s impossible to respond to the number of people who want to see us,” the president said during a meeting with business representatives in the United Arab Emirates. The American president noted that there are “150 countries that want to make deals.” He did not specify how many or which nations will receive these letters. Trump announced higher tariffs on dozens of trading partners on April 2 but suspended them for 90 days amid investor panic to give foreign governments time to negotiate. However, the president has recently distanced himself from the idea of engaging in back-and-forth negotiations with every partner.