New Delhi, July 8 -- U.S. President Donald Trump escalated the trade war on Monday by threatening more than a dozen countries with higher tariffs.

He renewed the threat of a 25% tax on imports from Japan and South Korea and sent letters to world leaders warning of levies starting August 1.

Countries including Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, South Africa, and Malaysia faced duties ranging from 25% to 40%.

Trump warned that further escalation could follow if any retaliation occurred against these levies.

This move comes as the White House's 90-day pause on some of its steepest import taxes was set to expire this week.

Trump initially imposed broad tariffs on imports on April 2, calling it "Liberation Day," with a baseline 10% tariff o...