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Tariffs and threats of tariffs remain in the news:

July 9, 2025

Trump broadened out a trade war that has cast a shadow over the global economic outlook when he said on Tuesday he would impose a 50% tariff on imported copper and soon introduce long-threatened levies on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.

Trump said late on Tuesday that “a minimum of seven” tariff notices would be released on Wednesday morning, and more in the afternoon. He gave no other details in his Truth Social post. The threat came a day after he pressured 14 trading partners, including powerhouse U.S. suppliers South Korea and Japan, with tariff letters imposing levies of 25% and upwards to take effect from August 1. …

Equity markets shrugged off Trump’s latest tariff salvo on Wednesday, while the yen remained on the back foot after the levies set for Japan.

Following Trump’s announcement of higher tariffs for imports from the 14 countries, U.S. research group Yale Budget Lab estimated consumers face an effective U.S. tariff rate of 17.6%, up from 15.8% previously and the highest in nine decades. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/eu-seeks-trade-deal-with-trump-this-month-new-tariff-notices-due-2025-07-09/

July 9, 2025

President Donald Trump said at least seven countries can expect tariff letters on Wednesday morning, as he ramped up pressure on nations to strike deals with the United States by saying his new August 1 deadline would not be extended.

The announcement came as Trump vowed to slap a 10% levy on imports from the BRICS group of emerging economies, revealed plans for a 50% tariff on copper imports and threatened a massive 200% import tax on pharmaceuticals, renewing uncertainty for the global economy and markets – which have already experienced months of volatility.

“A minimum of seven” tariff notices will be sent out to American trade partners Wednesday morning, Trump said on Truth Social Tuesday, adding that “an additional number of countries” would receive letters in the afternoon. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC earlier on Tuesday that 15 to 20 letters are expected to be sent over the next two days.

The White House issued its first tranche of letters to 14 countries, including Japan, South Korea and South Africa on Monday, with tariff rates largely in line with those announced in April. Trump also signed an executive order officially pushing back the implementation date from July 9 to August 1, seemingly allowing a few more weeks for negotiations.

Trump said on Tuesday that there will be no further extension of the deadline. “All money will be due and payable starting AUGUST 1, 2025 – No extensions will be granted,” he posted on Truth Social. https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/09/business/tariffs-trump-letters-threat-brics-intl-hnk

US President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on several countries, including key Asian allies Japan and South Korea. …

He warned that another 25% could follow if Japan or South Korea raise their own tariffs in response.

Trump also imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Tunisia. Higher rates will apply to imports from South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina (30%), Indonesia (32%), Serbia and Bangladesh (35%), Thailand and Cambodia (36%), and Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar (40%). 07/07/25 https://www.rt.com/business/621166-trum-tariffs-japan-south-korea/

July 9, 2025

President Donald Trump on Wednesday sent letters dictating new U.S. tariff rates on at least seven more countries’ imports, leaning into his aggressive approach to resetting America’s global trade relationships.

The latest letters, revealed by Trump via Truth Social screenshots, were sent to the leaders of the Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Iraq, Libya and Sri Lanka.

Trump had teased the announcement Tuesday evening, writing on social media that he “will be releasing a minimum of 7 Countries” on Wednesday morning and an “additional number of Countries” in the afternoon.

The new round comes two days after Trump first shared letters telling 14 countries’ leaders that their exports to the U.S. would face steep new tariffs starting Aug. 1. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/09/trump-tariff-letters-trade.html

US President Donald Trump’s Administration sent out letters to many countries regarding tariffs–these include nations in Asia, parts of Africa, and in the Balkans. While I suspect none of the nations were happy with them, the ASEAN group is currently holding a meeting and member Malaysia has made some statements.

(Photo from Asean.org)

Malaysia calls for stronger inter-ASEAN trade amid tariffs uncertainty

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Reuters) – Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday urged Southeast Asian countries to “act with purpose” and enhance trade among each other in the face of global uncertainty, as regional foreign ministers met amid renewed jitters over U.S. trade tariffs.

Anwar, addressing ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, described tariffs, export restrictions and investment barriers as “the sharpened instruments of geopolitical rivalry”.

“As we navigate external pressures, we need to fortify our internal foundations. Trade more among ourselves, invest more in one another, and advance integration across sectors with resolve,” he said.

“As global conditions remain uncertain, there is no overstressing the need to act with purpose in our own region.”

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced hefty levies

, opens new tab of between 25% and 40% on six Southeast Asian countries, despite concerted efforts by some to offer broad concessions and negotiate lower rates.

The export-reliant ASEAN is collectively the world’s fifth-biggest economy, with some members beneficiaries of supply chain realignments from China. Only Vietnam has secured a deal, which lowers the levy to 20% from 46% initially. …

The gathering in Kuala Lumpur will be include a flurry of meetings between ASEAN and its major trade partners, including the United States, China, Japan, Russia, India and the European Union.

So, more trade NOT involving the USA is proposed.

Consider also that since Donald Trump’s second term began, the ASEAN nations have been leaning more towards the European Union:

EU’s reputation grows among Southeast Asian elites

14 April 2025

A new survey of Southeast Asian opinion leaders shows renewed trust in the EU …

More than half of opinion makers in Southeast Asia believe the European Union will “do the right thing” to improve the world, according to the latest research published by the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

The annual survey compiles answers from the ASEAN-10 — Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, Laos, and Brunei. For the first time this year, it also includes Timor-Leste.

The institute quizzed more than 2,000 people over who they believe are “in a position to inform or influence policy” in the Southeast Asian region. …

Among other questions, they asked if participants believed the EU would “do the right thing” and “contribute to global peace, security, prosperity, and governance.” …

The EU is close to finalizing free trade deals with Indonesia and Thailand. In January, Brussels and Malaysia agreed to restart trade talks, while talks with the Philippines resumed last year. https://www.dw.com/en/eus-reputation-grows-among-southeast-asian-elites/a-72220096

We are seeing another sign of less US influence in Asia, as the EU gains influence.

The US has been losing influence in Asia as China and the EU has been rising. Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats have not helped. There are many unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s policies and statements. Here is something from my January 16, 2025 book Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?:

Donald Trump’s tariff and other economic policies are getting the Gentile nations of Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia to look to trade more with each other. An unintended consequence of his rhetoric and policies is that they are encouraging the end-time rise of the final time of the Gentiles.

That is clearly happening.

Last year, in my list of 25 items to prophetically watch in 2025, I predicted:

Europe will reach out to various ones in Asia and Africa, as well as Latin America. … in 2025 Europe will work on getting more of the world to accept its standards and trading matters. … with the USA pulling out of trade deals and/or wishing to change them, steps are occurring that are pushing Europe to dominate trade (watch Trade Wars: Are COG warnings coming to pass?).

The final time of the Gentiles is approaching. We are seeing BRICS, the Global South, the EU, and others working on ways to trade and not have to deal with the descendants of Ephraim (UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) and Manasseh (the USA).

The Europeans will work with many nations to secure stronger trade agreements.

This is also happening. The USA has been wishing to change trade deals. And the ASEAN nations are leaning more towards the European Union, the EU is trying to finalizing free trade deals with Indonesia and Thailand, while also working with Malaysia and the Philippines, plus also Central Asia.

To learn more scriptures and other information related to future trade, we put together the following video:

14:49

Trade Wars – and the Winner will be …

US President Trump imposed tariffs on a global scale. Those tariffs were imposed on friend and foe alike. It seems as if President Trump is no respecter of nations. But how will this work out for the United States? Will these tariffs result in other nations drawing closer together that have had rather cold, and even not so cold, relations in the past? Will global tariffs result in trade wars? Were the events which are happening predicted by any in the Continuing Church of God? Is Europe drawing closer to China? Is Europe drawing closer to Latin and South America? With the exception of a few of America’s allies, is the net result of these tariffs a worldwide scramble to create new alliances and new trading partners to the exclusion of the United States? What will be the future result of these new alliances? Many of the nations that are now seeking new alliances were just recently America’s allies. They were her friends. Dr. Thiel brings to light the fate of America and her allies at the hands of her former friends, as revealed in the book of Lamentations. As we rapidly approach the end times listen in as Dr. Thiel brings to light world events. Then listen as he shines the light of Bible prophecy directly on the questions raised from these world events.

Here is a link to our video: Trade Wars – and the Winner will be …

Trade matters are changing.

Church of God warnings on trade are coming to pass.

Are YOU paying attention?

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 at 6:30 am and is filed under Prophecy.

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