“The countries are calling us, kissing my ass, trying to make a customs deal. They say, please, delight make a deal. I will do anything,” said mocking Donald Trump on Tuesday at a Republican National Committee dinner in Washington, D.C., commenting on the expected reaction of leaders to customs.
He did not spare the U.S. legislature either. He said if he took over the customs negotiations, the United States would go bankrupt.
— I repeat, you cannot negociate like this. If negotiations are to be taken over by Congress, you'd better rapidly sale all the shares you have in the United States or you'll go bankrupt. I know what the hell I'm doing, and you know it. That is why you voted for me,” added Donald Trump.
White home open for negotiation
The day before the entry into force of the duties imposed by president Donald Trump, the White home signaled that its door to trade talks was wide open — even if the conditions for tariff simplification stay unclear. Representatives of countries affected by duties are feverish in their response. American diplomats and sources akin to the White home send any clues. They propose that leaders proceed creatively to negociate with Trump and do not just close to commercial arguments.
Their message to the heads of state is as follows — if you have any peculiar card you can play, do it. According to 5 people acquainted with the discussions, there are various ideas that could convince the Trump administration — specified as action to guarantee freedom for Americans held abroad, a commitment to cooperate with American companies dealing with artificial intelligence, buying more energy in the US, or fighting global drug trafficking.
After days of sending conflicting signals about the readiness to negociate customs on Tuesday, Trump made a clear message — he is ready to talk.
— Phones called asking to talk to this administration, with the president and with his trade squad to effort to make a deal," said press secretary Karolina Leavitt.
"Tsunami" in the White House
Not just abroad leaders called the White House. As the deadline for the introduction of duties approached this week, the White home hotline besides featured CEOs of any of Trump's largest global companies who had so far avoided public criticism.
Several executives of American companies told CNN that the chief staff of the White home Susie Wiles, Vice president JD Vance and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had begun calling the “wave” of CEOs from banking, technological and industrial companies. They all tried to convince politicians that Trump's customs policy would harm the global economy and credibility of American business and government. The CEO with close contacts with the White home called it “tsunami”.
"There are voices in the White home that want advanced duties forever. There are angels and demons sitting on president Trump's shoulders. Who's he listening to? I hope he listens to angels,” wrote Ted Cruz, a Texas senator on X.
New duties in practice
After days of criticism from any of the closest allies, Donald Trump made it clear that he was assured in his decisions.
— I know what the hell I'm doing," he said. White home spokesperson Kush Desai in an interview with CNN stated that "US administration maintains regular contact with business leaders, manufacture groups and average Americans". He added that "the only peculiar interest that directs Trump erstwhile making decisions is inactive the best interest of the American people".
The White home stated that 70 countries had begun negotiations on customs cuts in exchange for measures to resolve trade imbalances with the US. On Wednesday, additional duties announced by Trump entered into force. In the case of Chinese imports, they scope 104 %, from the EU to 20 % and from a number of another countries to 50 %.
