The deadline for the 90-day pause is here

  

The deadline for the 90-day pause on additional "reciprocal" tariffs unilaterally imposed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is fast approaching this coming Wednesday. While many countries have been negotiating with Washington to reduce the tariffs that exceed the baseline 10% rate already in place, the outlook remains uncertain -- except for the U.K., which has secured a deal, and Vietnam, which unexpectedly announced an agreement with the U.S. on Wednesday.

As the tariff implementation nears, President Trump has intensified his criticism, especially toward Japan. Earlier this week, he declared, "I'm not sure we're going to make a deal," and accused Japan of having "ripped us off for 30, 40 years."

 The additional 25% tariff on automobiles is already affecting Japanese automakers. With the cost burden becoming harder to absorb, companies such as Toyota Motor and Mitsubishi Motors have decided to raise prices in the U.S. market.

As for what decisions President Trump -- now widely known as a flip-flopper -- will make by Wednesday, that remains to be seen.