US President Donald Trump has reignited trade tensions by announcing a series of new tariffs targeting 14 countries, with the highest rates imposed on Myanmar and Laos at 40 percent. This move marks the beginning of a renewed trade conflict, as Trump unveiled letters threatening increased tariff rates. Despite this aggressive stance, Trump indicated a willingness to negotiate further, suggesting that the August 1 deadline for reaching trade agreements might be flexible. The list of countries affected includes Japan and South Korea, both facing a 25 percent tariff rate. Other nations such as Thailand and Cambodia will see tariffs of 36 percent, while Bangladesh and Serbia face 35 percent. Indonesia is set at 32 percent, with South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 30 percent. Malaysia, Tunisia, Kazakhstan, and others are also impacted by these new tariffs. Trump has already secured trade deals with the United Kingdom and Vietnam but remains in negotiations with India. He expressed skepticism about reaching agreements with some countries, opting instead to impose tariffs. The US President warned that any retaliatory measures by these nations would result in equivalent responses from the US. The tariffs are set to take effect on August 1 but will not combine with existing sector-specific tariffs on products like automobiles and steel. This means that Japanese vehicle tariffs will remain at 25 percent rather than increasing to 50 percent. Trump’s announcement has added pressure on global markets and policymakers as they navigate the implications of this trade strategy. The extension of the negotiation deadline to August 1 provides a temporary reprieve for affected countries to reach agreements with the US. However, the looming threat of increased tariffs continues to create uncertainty in international trade relations.