Episode 473: Tariff Tactics: Trump’s Deadline Looms

Today, Morgan, Les and Jess unpack the fast-moving developments around the Trump administration’s global tariff negotiations, as the 90-day pause comes to a close this Wednesday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that tariff letters will be sent to about 100 countries this week, with either deals or formal notifications expected by July 9. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added that Trump is personally leading many of the negotiations, applying what the administration calls “maximum pressure.” So far, only the United Kingdom, China and Vietnam have locked in deals—leaving the rest of the world guessing.

Is August 1 the final deadline, or another chapter in a shifting timeline of economic brinkmanship? What are the broader implications of these tariffs for U.S. alliances and supply chains? And with Trump directly in the driver’s seat, is this smart negotiating—or strategic overreach?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our Fellows’ discussions: 

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/06/bessent-trump-tariffs-deadline-august-00440522

https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/06/business/bessent-tariff-deadline-trump 

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@morganlroach

@lestermunson 

@NotTVJessJones

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