Cliff Notes – Trump economic adviser explains – Tariffs latest:
- White House aides expressed mixed signals about Donald Trump‘s tariff policies, with some suggesting room for negotiation while others dismissed the prospect.
- Trump’s recent statement indicates he is unwilling to change his policies, although he has altered tariff plans in the past, notably postponing levies on Canada and Mexico.
- High-ranking officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, hinted at potential flexibility in negotiations, contrasting with others like Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who remained non-committal.
Trump economic adviser explains why US put tariffs on islands inhabited by penguins
Several White House aides and advisers gave interviews to US television networks today – but were accused of sending mixed messages about the future of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Dozens of countries, including the UK, are hoping they can persuade the US president to change his mind on some of the tax rates via trade deal talks.
But is Trump willing to negotiate? White House Briefing
On Friday, he suggested he wasn’t, writing on Truth Social: “My policies will never change”.
However, Trump has changed his mind – and his plans – on tariffs before.
Trump economic adviser explains why US put tariffs on islands only inhabited by penguins.
One recent example was when he postponed planned levies on Canadian and Mexican goods last month following talks with the leaders of both countries.
Speaking today, his aides and advisers were less than united on the issue…
Kevin Hassett, the director of the US’s National Economic Council, suggested there might be room for manoeuvre.
He told ABC News: “More than 50 countries have reached out to the president to begin a negotiation … they’re doing that because they understand that they bear a lot of the tariff.”
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (see post at 15:34) also implied Trump might be willing to enter talks with other nations over tariffs rates.
He told NBC News: “That’s going to be a decision for President Trump… He’s created maximum leverage for himself”.
However, Howard Lutnick, the US commerce secretary, declined to be drawn on whether the president was willing to adjust some of his tariffs.
But during an interview with CBS News, he also said the levies would stay in place for “days and weeks” – suggesting they may not be a long-term policy.
Meanwhile, trade aide Peter Navarro suggested to Fox News (see post at 20:59) that no negotiations were on the cards – but added that Trump was “always willing to listen” to other world leaders.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins also declined to say to CNN if the president was open to negotiation on some of the tariff rates.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a raft of new measures to support the UK’s car industry in the wake of the US president’s tariffs. Meanwhile, the White House has been accused of sending mixed messages over whether it is open to negotiation on the new taxes.
