President Donald Trump and high administration officers have supplied combined messaging on whether or not his sweeping tariffs are everlasting or open for negotiation.
On Thursday afternoon, Trump mentioned international locations have been already coming to him seeking to make offers, suggesting he was open to negotiating with overseas leaders. But he struck a unique tone Friday, writing in a message to overseas buyers on social media that his “policies will never change.”
Top Trump officers haven’t supplied additional readability in TV appearances at present:
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett: Hassett mentioned “more than 50 countries” have reached out to the US to attempt to negotiate tariff offers.
Hassett mentioned on ABC’s “This Week” that the international locations are reaching out “because they understand that they bear a lot of the tariff.”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick: Asked on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” concerning the declare 50 international locations have reached out, Lutnick wouldn’t say whether or not the White House is definitely open to negotiation.
Lutnick echoed Hassett in saying the outreach from overseas officers exhibits “these countries know that they’ve been ripping us off.”
Pressed repeatedly, Lutnick wouldn’t say whether or not Trump’s 10% blanket tariffs have been everlasting. He did point out Trump is not going to postpone the additional, steeper tariffs set to enter impact this week.
Trade adviser Peter Navarro: In a Fox News interview, Navarro mentioned “this is not a negotiation” — but additionally that Trump is at all times “willing to listen” when different international locations name.
“It’s the non-tariff cheating that matters the most, and when they want to talk to us, come talk to us about that,” Navarro mentioned, alluding to non-trade barriers within the world economic system which have drawn Trump’s ire.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins: Pressed repeatedly by NCS’s Jake Tapper, Rollins was unable to clearly state whether or not the tariffs are right here to remain or if there’s room for negotiation.
“We’re two business days into this new American order. So I think we have a lot to be determined,” she mentioned.