President Donald Trump clarified on Monday that he is not considering a pause in tariffs to facilitate negotiations with trading partners. However, he expressed a willingness to discuss tariff policies with countries like China and Japan.
Asked during a White House press availability with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he was open to pausing tariffs, Trump said, “Well, we’re not looking at that. We have many, many countries that are coming to negotiate deals with us, and they’re going to be fair deals. And in certain cases they’re going to be paying substantial tariffs. There’ll be fair deals.”
Trump also reiterated his threat to add another 50% tariff on Chinese imports unless that country withdraws its threat to add a 34% tariff on its goods.
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Trump’s threat, which he delivered on social media, came after China said it would retaliate against US tariffs he announced last week.
“If China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long-term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated!”
If Trump implements his new taxes on imports from China, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods would reach a combined 104%. The new taxes would be on top of the 20% tariffs announced as punishment for fentanyl trafficking and his separate 34% tariffs announced last week.
(With inputs from Reuters and Associated Press)
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