US Extends Tariff Pause to Aug 1 Deepening Global Trade Uncertainty

U.S. President Donald Trump has extended the deadline for implementing higher reciprocal tariffs from July 9 to August 1, continuing to pressure major trading partners like Japan, South Korea, and the European Union while increasing uncertainty for smaller exporters. This extension, part of Trump's aggressive tariff strategy that includes baseline duties and potential increases up to 50 percent, has drawn criticism from international trade experts and the United Nations. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre, warned that the prolonged uncertainty disrupts global trade, investment flows, and supply chains, disproportionately harming least developed countries such as Lesotho and Vietnam, which face steep tariffs threatening key industries and jobs. The situation is exacerbated by significant cuts in development aid from G7 countries, compounding economic challenges for vulnerable economies. While some countries appreciate the additional negotiation time, many view the repeated deadline shifts as destabilizing, prolonging volatility rather than providing clarity. China's recent move to grant full tariff-free access to African countries was noted as a positive contrast to the uncertainty generated by U.S. tariff policies.