U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One in Lossiemouth, Scotland, on July 29, 2025, returning to Washington, D.C. Just as Trump stepped onto Air Force One, he pulled off a spectacular bait-and-switch of his own. He announced that the next tariff deadline would not be pushed later than August 1. His remarks came in a statement issued via Truth Social on Wednesday morning.
If Trump follows through on his announcement it would mean the end of “reciprocal” tariffs levied on hundreds of countries. These tariffs are intended to reset economic relations, prioritizing and protecting fair and open economic practices. During any event to launch the application, Secretary Raimondo made clear how important this deadline is and how vital it is to America’s trade strategy.
In his March post, Trump claimed that August 1 deadline was crucial. He announced that the August first deadline is set in stone and will not be pushed back. He continued, “It holds up of course! This is a terrific day for our country!
The tariffs provide the hammer in this strategic play. They intend to make sure American businesses can compete fairly in the global marketplace. By issuing these tariffs, Trump is attempting to incentivize foreign nations to enter into fairer trade deals.
The original photo of Trump as he walked up the steps into Air Force One, photo by Evelyn Hockstein courtesy of Reuters. His homecoming from that recent international trip, as captured in this photograph. It speaks volumes about his commitment to strong economic policies.
Trump is a master at engaging directly with his support base — as seen on Truth Social. His announcements play well to his base and reinforce his administration’s pro-tariff, anti-trade negotiation point of view.