Trump’s new tariff letters have sent shockwaves across global markets as he targets 22 countries with tough new trade threats just weeks before the August 1 deadline. From close allies like Japan and South Korea to BRICS nations like Brazil and South Africa,

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met counterparts in Southeast Asia during his first visit to the region since taking office.

It shows that personal grudges rather than simple economics are a driving force in the U.S. leader’s use of tariffs.

Donald Trump has said he will impose 25 per cent tariffs on imports of goods from Japan and South Korea, in an announcement that sent US stocks sliding. The president on Monday said the new levies on both countries would come into effect on August 1. Trump has vowed to announce tariff rates for dozens of other trading partners in coming days.

Asian shares rose Tuesday after stocks on Wall Street closed broadly lower as the White House stepped up pressure on major trading partners to make deals before punishing tariffs imposed by the U.S. take effect.

The president has already threatened an additional 10% tariff on goods from countries aligning themselves with a bloc of nations that includes China and Russia.