What is the status of US tariff negotiations?

US tariff negotiations with key trading partners have shifted into high gear as economies race to avoid steeper duties before an August 1 deadline.

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Many of these tariff hikes were part of a package first announced in April, under which dozens of economies were due to face higher levies -- up from a 10 percent level -- over their trade surpluses with the United States.

The twice-postponed deadline for duties to take effect is now Friday, August 1.

But Washington has expanded its group of targets coming up against these tariffs, while announcing agreements with the European Union, Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

A deal with the European Union unveiled on Sunday sees a 15 percent tariff imposed on European exports to the United States, down from the 30 percent that Trump earlier threatened.

WHERE DO OTHER US TRADE TALKS STAND?

South Korea: Heightened pressure

Seoul is racing to reach a deal with Washington, as Tokyo's success in landing an agreement has "amped up the pressure for South Korea," a government source told AFP.