July 20, 2025

Commerce Secretary Lutnick sets Section 232 deadline for August 1

Largest tax hike since 1930 hits with 10 days notice

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced July 20, 2025, that August 1 represents a "hard deadline" for President Trump's universal baseline tariffs with "no extensions, no more grace periods."

National Economic Council Director Peter Navarro confirmed 10-20% tariffs on every imported product from electronics to food, affecting countries accounting for three-quarters of U.S. imports. The deadline follows Trump's letters to 25 major trading partners including Canada, Mexico, and European Union.

Commerce Secretary Howard LutnickHoward Lutnick confirmed August 1, 2025 as 'hard deadline' with 'no extensions, no more grace periods' for universal tariff implementation across all trading partners

Baseline tariffs set at 10% for smaller countries including Latin America, Caribbean, and many African nations, with 'bigger economies' facing higher rates or market access demands

Trump sent letters to 25 major trading partners including Canada, Mexico, European Union announcing tariff rates, with some countries facing up to 40% levies on exports

National Economic Council Director Peter Navarro confirmed every imported product from electronics to food faces immediate price increases representing largest consumer tax hike since 1930

Yale Budget Lab calculates Americans face highest tariff rates since 1910, with average household cost of $2,800 annually—$3,200+ for typical families under expanded coverage

Only Indonesia among dozens of countries receiving letters made nominal deal for better rates, though final agreement details remain unclear according to administration officials

CBS News polling released July 20 shows 60% of Americans oppose new tariffs, 61% believe administration puts too much emphasis on tariffs versus other economic policies

Lutnick forecasts tariff revenue of $700 billion to $1 trillion annually, though current collection runs less than $30 billion monthly—roughly half his projections

European Union threatens 30% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports starting August 1, up from 20% rates briefly imposed April 2025 before temporary suspension

Canada's Prime Minister told press little evidence exists for avoiding tariffs through negotiations, despite 75% of Mexico-Canada trade covered by USMCA exemptions

Trump specifically targets fentanyl and border security from Canada, threatening tariffs on 25% of goods not covered by USMCA trade agreement

Market analysts describe 'TACO trade' phenomenon—'Trump Always Chickens Out'—fueling stock surge since spring, but Lutnick insists August 1 deadline firm

📈Trade💵Tax & Budget💰Economy

People, bills, and sources

Howard Lutnick

Howard Lutnick

Commerce Secretary

Peter Navarro

National Economic Council Director

Donald Trump

Donald Trump

President

What You Can Do

1

Call Congress immediately at 202-224-3121 demanding representatives block tariffs economists predict will trigger recession through massive consumer price increases

2

Stock up on electronics, winter clothing, appliances, and imported goods before August 1 when 20% price increases hit all foreign-made products

3

Contact House Ways and Means Committee at 202-225-3625 opposing tariff implementation without congressional approval violating Constitution's trade regulation authority

4

Join National Federation of Independent Business at nfib.com fighting tariffs threatening 400,000 small import-dependent companies with immediate bankruptcy

5

Contact Senate Finance Committee at 202-224-4515 demanding hearings on economic impact analysis before largest consumer tax increase in 95 years

6

Support National Retail Federation and other trade associations opposing regressive tariffs functioning as consumption taxes hitting working families hardest

7

Buy major purchases immediately before August 1: computers, phones, winter coats, household appliances, and imported consumer goods

8

Contact local small businesses importing products to understand community economic impact and organize opposition to tariff policies

9

Write letters to local newspapers explaining tariff costs disproportionately burden working families while wealthy consumers absorb increases easily

10

Support economic research organizations like Peterson Institute for International Economics tracking real-world tariff impacts on American consumers