Tariff countdown: Trump to send tariff letters this week

We begin in the U.S., where President Donald Trump says he'll begin sending letters about tariff rates to countries starting this week.

With just days left before a temporary halt on tariffs expires, countries are scrambling to meet the deadline.

Our Park Kun-woo starts us off.

U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to send out letters this week notifying countries of the tariffs they will have to pay.

"We have, you know, far more than 170 countries. And how many deals can you make? And you can make good deals, but they're very much more complicated. I'd rather send out a letter saying this is what you're going to pay."

He added that roughly 10 countries will receive these letters each day, starting Friday.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that Trump will be the one to judge whether negotiating countries are acting in "good faith."

But he also warned that tariff rates set in early April could "boomerang" back if talks fall through with discussions ongoing.

"Negotiations with the United States are ongoing as we speak. We are ready for a deal. We want a negotiated solution. But we're preparing for the possibility that no satisfactory agreement is reached. All the instruments are on the table."

South Korea, with a 25 percent tariff rate set in April, is also working to meet the deadline, amid some uncertainty.

"I'm not sure if I can say it could be done by July 8. I'm doing my best. We need to yield mutually reciprocal results that help both sides, but it is still not clear what exactly both sides want."

South Korea's trade ministry said Chief Trade Negotiator Yeo Han-koo is making plans to visit the U.S. for talks this weekend for a second round of trade talks,

with the aim of reaching an agreement before the deadline.

Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.