White House Official Says More Than 50 Countries Reached Out About Tariffs

The Epoch Times Header

โ€˜Theyโ€™re doing that because they understand that they bear a lot of the tariff,โ€™ Kevin Hassett said.

A top White House economic adviser said Sunday that more than 50 countries have contacted the Trump administration to initiate negotiations over a broad swath of tariffs that were announced last week on nearly every nation in the world.

In an interview with ABC News โ€œThis Week,โ€ Kevin Hassett, the head of the White Houseโ€™s National Economic Council, said that โ€œthere are more than 50 countries reaching out and trying to negotiate this new status with the presidentโ€ since the tariffs were announced.

โ€œTheyโ€™re doing that because they understand that they bear a lot of the tariff,โ€ he told the outlet.

While Hassett did not say which countries have started talks with the administration, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social April 4 that Vietnamโ€™s top leader said that the country will reduce its tariffs on the United States โ€œto zero.โ€

Last week, Trump announced a minimum of 10 percent tariffs on all trading partners, as well as higher levies for about 60 nationsโ€”typically half of what each levies against the United States. The higher tariffs are due to take effect on April 9.

Canada and Mexico were exempt from the latest tariffs due to already being subject to tariffs of 25 percent that were announced several weeks ago. Those tariffs were levied in a bid to curb illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking into the United States via its southern and northern neighbors.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said that Thailand is also willing to enter talks with the United States on the tariffs.

โ€œThailand has signaled its readiness to discuss with the U.S. government at the first opportunity to adjust the trade balance to be fair to both the parties,โ€ Shinawatra told reporters on April 3, adding that Thailand could become a โ€œfriend-shoringโ€ country for the United States.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, meanwhile, told reporters last week that his country would respond in a โ€œcool and calmโ€ manner, noting that the United States only placed a 10 percent levy, putting the United Kingdom in โ€œbetter position than a lot of other countries from what was announced.โ€

Taiwanโ€™s President Lai Ching-te on Sunday offered zero tariffs as the basis for talks with the United States, pledging to remove trade barriers rather than imposing reciprocal measures and saying Taiwanese companies will raise their U.S. investments.

Byย Jack Phillips

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Viewers like you

There is no constitutional authority for any spending on public broadcasting โ€“ period. Any questions: See Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Trans-wormal

No worm ever said "I am anthropomorphizing, I am a butterfly" to a toad or flock of geese and expected acknowledgement and support.

In Greenlandโ€™s Icy Capital, Past Troubles Haunt Hopes for the Future

As geopolitical realities and ongoing economic growth raise the stakes, U.S. interest in Greenland and the dream of independence may change things in a big way.

How a Chinese Government Statistician Was Forced to Report Fake Data

Chinese local govt employee produced a non-authorized report on bees and was visited by police and threatened with being sent to a mental hospital.

โ€˜This One Time, at Groomer Campโ€™

All Camp Brave Trails programs focus on helping LGBTQ+ youth find what they need most to thrive: their people, their place, and their passion.

News

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Returns to US to Face Criminal Charges

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador, is on his way back to the US, where he will face criminal charges for allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants.

White House Adviser Gives Update on DOGEโ€™s Future Amid Muskโ€“Trump Spat

A top White House adviser said DOGEโ€™s work will likely continue amid a spat between its former chief, Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump.

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Dismantling of Education Department

Trump admin asked Supreme Court to allow it to resume dismantling U.S. Dept of Education, following a lower courtโ€™s previous order halting process.

FTC Warns of Rising Student Loan Scams, Says Fraudsters Took Millions From Borrowers

FTC is warning borrowers to steer clear of student loan debt-relief scams, after shutting down group of companies that allegedly charged millions in illegal fees and left customers worse off.

Walmartโ€™s Drone Delivery Coming to 5 More US Cities

Walmart is set to launch its drone delivery service in five more U.S. cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa, the company.

Court Orders Trump Administration to Restore AmeriCorps Funding to States

Federal court ordered Trump admin to restore AmeriCorps funding to states. The ruling comes as part of a lawsuit filed by 24 states and DC.

Tax Deductions You Can Take Without Itemizing

Itโ€™s not always beneficial to itemize. With IRSโ€™s current standard deduction for 2025 most Americans who canโ€™t itemize go with standard deduction.

Bernard Kerik, NYPD Commissioner During 9/11 Attacks, Dies at 69

Bernard Kerik, a former New York City police commissioner who was hailed as a hero after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, has died at 69, according NYPD.
spot_img

Related Articles