Trump Announces Major Trade Agreements With Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines Ahead of August Tariff Deadline
by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled a series of sweeping trade deals with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, touting them as landmark achievements in his administration’s drive to rebalance global trade before new tariff levels take effect August 1.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump called the deal with Japan “perhaps the largest Deal ever made,” declaring that the U.S. would receive 90% of profits from a $550 billion investment by Japan into the American economy. The agreement also includes expanded access for U.S. products–particularly automobiles, rice, and other agricultural goods–into the Japanese market. In return, Japan will pay a 15% reciprocal tariff on its exports to the U.S., a reduction from the 25% Trump previously proposed.
“This Deal will create Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs–There has never been anything like it,” Trump wrote. “This is a very exciting time for the United States of America.”
While Japanese officials have not yet confirmed all the details, the announcement represents a significant breakthrough in trade negotiations that had stalled for months over auto tariffs and national security-related levies. The agreement’s terms remain unclear on whether Japan will be exempted from separate 25% tariffs on automobiles or 50% on steel and aluminum.
Earlier Tuesday, the Trump administration released full details of a $50 billion trade framework with Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most populous nation. The deal eliminates tariffs on 99% of American exports to Indonesia and slashes U.S. tariffs on Indonesian goods from a threatened 32% to 19%. However, goods with substantial content from third-party nations like China will be subject to a steep 40% levy under new transshipment rules.
“This deal is a HUGE WIN for our Automakers, Tech Companies, Workers, Farmers, Ranchers, and Manufacturers,” Trump said, highlighting Indonesia’s commitments to purchase U.S. aircraft, energy, and agricultural goods. Indonesia also agreed to accept U.S. safety standards for cars and medical equipment, remove pre-shipment inspections, drop plans to tax cross-border digital services, and supply critical minerals vital to U.S. industries.
The Indonesia agreement also includes enforceable labor provisions–banning forced labor imports and guaranteeing workers’ rights to collective bargaining. White House officials confirmed the deal resolves multiple longstanding grievances outlined in the U.S. Trade Representative’s 2025 National Trade Estimate Report.
Later in the day, President Trump confirmed the finalization of a U.S.-Philippines trade and military partnership following a White House meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Under the agreement, Filipino exports to the U.S. will face a 19% tariff, while U.S. goods will enter the Philippines duty-free. Trump had previously warned of a 20% tariff if a deal wasn’t reached by August 1.
“It was a beautiful visit, and we concluded our Trade Deal, whereby The Philippines is going OPEN MARKET with the United States, and ZERO Tariffs,” Trump wrote. “He [Marcos Jr.] is a very good, and tough, negotiator.”
The deal includes provisions to remove import restrictions, resolve longstanding intellectual property disputes, and open negotiations on digital trade, services, and investment. A military cooperation clause was also established, though specific terms remain undisclosed.
Together, the three agreements mark the latest chapter in Trump’s aggressive bilateral trade reset ahead of his self-imposed August 1 deadline. The president has issued letters to dozens of nations, demanding new trade terms or risk facing preset tariff rates. So far, new deals have been concluded with the U.K., Vietnam, and now Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested Tuesday that an upcoming deadline with China might be extended. “We’ve actually moved to a new level with China,” Bessent said, noting that Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will host the next round of U.S.-China trade talks.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added that the U.S. intends to impose a baseline 10% tariff on small economies across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa unless favorable deals are reached. “Bigger economies will either open themselves up or they’ll pay a fair tariff to America,” Lutnick said.
As Trump moves forward with broader tariff policies, he continues to defend the economic strategy as a way to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., fund domestic priorities, and reduce trade deficits. White House officials insisted the administration expects minimal inflationary impact, citing complementary tax cuts and investment incentives passed earlier this month.
With just days left before the August deadline, attention now shifts to upcoming executive orders that will implement the announced deals–and to further negotiations with remaining holdout countries, particularly within the European Union.
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