Trump Vows No Pause on Tariffs, Threatens 104% on China

U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his commitment to maintaining the so-called "reciprocal tariff" policy, dismissing any consideration of a pause. This statement came during a press conference following his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Trump emphasized that enforcing tariff policies and conducting negotiations are not mutually exclusive, and that many countries are actively seeking negotiations with the U.S. He believes that these negotiations will result in fair trade deals, with some countries paying significant tariffs.

Trump also rejected a proposal from the European Union to mutually exempt tariffs, deeming it insufficient and accusing the EU of deceiving the U.S. on trade issues. Netanyahu, in his remarks after the meeting, stated that Israel would work to eliminate its trade surplus with the U.S. He expressed that this was the correct approach and that Israel would also work to remove trade barriers.

Trump's stance on tariffs has been met with mixed reactions from various economies. Over 50 economies have reached out to the U.S. regarding the tariff policy, but these contacts reportedly lack a genuine negotiation framework or bilateral cooperation, leading to frustration. Trump signed an executive order on April 2, imposing a 10% "minimum baseline tariff" on trading partners and higher tariffs on certain partners.

Trump's aggressive trade stance is particularly evident in his approach towards China. He has demanded that Beijing cancel its retaliatory measures, threatening to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods if they do not comply. This would bring the cumulative tariff on Chinese products to 104%, underscoring Trump's determination to address what he perceives as unfair trade practices.