More than 50 countries have sought talks with President Trump in a scramble to ease punishing tariffs on exports to the US, the White House said Sunday, as trade partners braced for fallout.
The Republican has remained defiant since unleashing the blitz of levies on stunned countries around the world Wednesday, insisting that his policies “will never change” even as markets went into a tailspin.
But his staggered deadlines have left space for some countries to negotiate, even as he insisted he would stand firm and his administration warned against any retaliation. “More than 50 countries have reached out to the president to begin a negotiation,” Kevin Hassett, head of the White House National Economic Council, told ABC’s This Week on Sunday, citing the US Trade Representative.
He said they were doing so “because they understand that they bear a lot of the tariffs,” as the administration continues to insist that the duties would not lead to major price rises in the US.
