President Donald Trump’s commerce secretary had to step in after he appeared lost on the latest development in his sprawling trade war. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey on Sunday, Trump announced that the administration would be sending out about a dozen letters throughout the week warning other countries that tariffs will be reinstated if they don’t close a trade deal soon.

President Donald Trump’s country-by-country tariffs will take effect Aug. 1, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said, signaling some breathing room for US trading partners ahead of a July 9 deadline previously set by the president.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday said some trade deals had been made with trading partners and letters would go out to other countries notifying them of higher tariff rates.