CV NEWS FEED // President Donald Trump’s newly announced 104% tariffs on Chinese imports will officially take effect Tuesday night, setting off a wave of negotiation requests from other nations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the move Tuesday, describing the tariffs as a calculated effort to pressure China to return to the negotiating table.
Trump “believes that China wants to make a deal with the United States. He believes that China has to make a deal with the United States. It was a mistake for China to retaliate. When America is punched, [President Trump] punches back harder,” Leavitt told reporters.
“That’s why there will be 104% tariffs going into effect on China tonight… If China reaches out to make a deal, he will be incredibly gracious, but he’s going to do what’s best for the American people.”
According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the move toward tariff negotiations has been driven by a “massive inflow” of calls from around 70 countries, not by market turmoil.
“The negotiations are the result of the massive inflow of inbound calls to come and negotiate,” Bessent told Fox Business Monday evening. “It had nothing to do with the market.”
Leavitt echoed the message, adding: “Phones have been ringing off the hook. The world knows that they need the United States of America. They need our markets. They need our consumer.”
Countries now seeking negotiations include Japan, South Korea, Israel, the EU, India, Taiwan, the UK, and Vietnam, among others.
Trade talks have reportedly begun with Japan after a “very constructive” call between Trump and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Trump also confirmed on social media that discussions with South Korea are underway.
Earlier this week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is “ready to negotiate” with the US.
Bessent suggested the administration is entering an intense stretch of global trade talks.
“It’s going to be a busy April, May, maybe into June,” he told Fox News, adding that Trump “gave himself maximum negotiating leverage, and just when he achieved the maximum leverage, he’s willing to start talking.”
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