Remember when the kid on the playground finally stood up to the bully who kept stealing his lunch money? The whole school watched in awe as the tables turned. For decades, America has been that kid who kept giving away lunch money to countries around the world through bad trade deals.

Global trade has been a one-way street for too long. Other countries slap huge taxes on American goods while freely selling their products in our stores. Past presidents smiled politely, nodded, and signed more unfair deals that hurt American workers.

President Trump is done playing nice. He announced he has signed letters to 12 countries laying out exactly what tariffs they’ll face if they want to do business with the United States. These “take it or leave it” offers will be sent out Monday, putting America first in a way that hasn’t been seen in generations.

From ‘The Daily Wire’:

President Donald Trump said he had signed letters to 12 countries outlining the various tariff levels they would face on goods they export to the United States, with the “take it or leave it” offers to be sent out on Monday…

“I signed some letters and they’ll go out on Monday, probably twelve,” Trump said, when asked about his plans on the tariff front. “Different amounts of money, different amounts of tariffs.”

The letters mark a major shift in Trump’s approach. Instead of endless meetings where foreign leaders make empty promises, the president is laying down the law. Trump even said the letters are “better” and “much easier to send” than negotiating complex agreements that foreign countries never honor anyway.

When Trump took office, he promised a 90-day period to work out fair trade deals with countries around the world. That deadline expires July 9, and most nations haven’t stepped up. Originally, his team talked about “90 deals in 90 days,” but now they’re focusing on countries that matter most to American interests.

America’s Way or the Highway

Trump isn’t mincing words about what happens next. Countries that refuse to deal fairly will face tariffs as high as 70% starting August 1. Even more telling: nations that align themselves with anti-American BRICS countries (including Russia, China, and Iran) will be hit with an extra 10% tariff. No exceptions.

“We’re going to have a combination of letters, and some deals have been made,” Trump told reporters. “My inclination is to send a letter out and say what tariffs they are going to be paying.”

Some countries have already secured agreements. The UK signed a deal bringing tariffs down to 10% for British cars. Vietnam agreed to a 20% rate instead of the initial 46%. China and the US reached a deal setting tariffs at 55% for Chinese imports.

No More Games with American Jobs

Other nations aren’t faring so well. Japan’s refusal to accept American rice has irritated Trump, who bluntly stated, “We’ll just be sending them a letter.” South Korea is desperately seeking an extension despite claiming their tariffs on American goods are “close to 0.”

The European Union wants a deal “in principle” but refuses to budge on tech regulations. Trump’s message is crystal clear: the days of taking advantage of America are over.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained the new approach: “If you don’t move things along, then on August 1 you will boomerang back to your April 2 tariff level.”

Better Deals for American Workers

For too long, American factories closed while foreign goods flooded our markets. Trump’s straightforward approach puts American workers first by forcing other countries to open their markets to our products.

Unlike previous administrations that got lost in complicated trade talk, Trump’s letters cut through the noise. Countries now face a simple choice: trade fairly with America or pay the price.

The message resonates with Americans tired of seeing their jobs shipped overseas while foreign countries protect their own industries. By standing firm, Trump is bringing fairness back to international trade – something every American worker deserves.

Key Takeaways

• Trump signed “take it or leave it” letters to 12 countries setting new tariff rates, bypassing lengthy negotiations.
• Countries aligned with anti-American BRICS nations will face an additional 10% tariff penalty.
• Some nations like UK and Vietnam have already secured favorable deals through cooperation.
• August 1 deadline gives countries a clear choice: trade fairly with America or pay higher tariffs.

Sources: Daily Wire, TIME