Thai and Brazilian leaders have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariff threats that are poised to take effect on Aug 1.
On Monday, the Trump administration unveiled steep tariffs on more than a dozen countries including its key allies South Korea and Japan starting next month, saying that they will face tariffs of 25 to 40 percent from August 1 unless they take more U.S. exports and move to boost manufacturing in the U.S. The development has raised wide concerns over a potential escalation in trade tensions and broader economic fallout.
Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Tuesday that the tariff policy the U.S. announced on Monday is a contradiction of what both sides negotiated. The Thai side will reassess the situation and prepare for further negotiations, according to the acting prime minister.
Thai Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira posted on X on Tuesday that Trump's letter shows that the United States has not yet considered the proposal recently put forward by Thailand. He said the Thai negotiation team will "fight" to the end, seeking more measures and solutions to secure the best deal for Thailand.
At the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized the U.S. tariffs as "wrong and irresponsible."
Lula said that Trump needs to understand that the world has changed. "We don't want an emperor. We are sovereign nations. If he thinks he can impose tariffs, other countries have the right to do the same. That is the law of reciprocity," said Lula.
Thailand, Brazil reject Trump's new tariff threat
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
