The country’s new president, in office for a little over a month, had just dispatched his senior deputies to Washington to try to work out a trade deal.

President Trump on Monday posted a barrage of letters he sent to country leaders, saying he would impose an array of tariffs similar to levels he announced in April. The most significant were letters to the leaders of Japan and South Korea that informed them of 25% tariffs on imports from their respective countries.

By Jeff Mason, Bart H. Meijer and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday ramped up his trade war telling 14 nations, from powerhouse suppliers such as