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Greater than 50 international locations have contacted White Home to begin commerce talks – Trump adviser
Greater than 50 international locations have reached out to the White Home to start commerce talks, the US nationwide financial council director Kevin Hassett has advised ABC Information’ This Week programme. He mentioned:
I received a report from the USTR final night time (the workplace of the US commerce consultant) that greater than 50 international locations have reached out to the president to start a negotiation.
However they’re doing that as a result of they perceive that they bear numerous the tariff.
And so I don’t suppose you will notice an enormous impact on the patron within the US as a result of I do suppose that the explanation why we’ve a persistent, future commerce deficit is these individuals have very inelastic provide.
They’ve been dumping items into the nation in an effort to create jobs say in China.
Hasset denied that the tariffs had been a part of a method by Trump to crash monetary markets to strain the US federal reserve to chop rates of interest, insisting there have been can be no “political coercion” of the central financial institution.
As we’ve been reporting all through the day, items imported from dozens of nations and territories at the moment are going to be taxed at sharply increased charges, and that’s anticipated to drive up the prices of every little thing from automobiles to garments to computer systems.
These tariffs – which might run as excessive as 50% – are supposed to punish international locations for commerce obstacles that Trump says unfairly restrict US exports and trigger it to run large commerce deficits.
It’s unclear whether or not the tariffs might be lengthy lasting or if Washington will decrease or drop them in response to different international locations negotiating to scale back their very own tariffs and different commerce obstacles.
US retail giants predicted that costs had been “extremely possible” to begin rising for US virtually instantly after a 25% responsibility got here into impact on exports from Mexico to the US.
Individuals have been warned to brace for increased costs extra usually too, with households fearing a recession sooner or later and better inflation due to tariffs.
Trump’s workforce has mentioned any quick time period shock to the economic system might be definitely worth the internet positives of the tariffs, which the US president claims will assist carry manufacturing again to the states and enhance tax revenues.
Key occasions
In response as to if the market disruption was at all times a part of the plan by Donald Trump’s administration, treasury secretary Scott Bessent advised NBC’s Meet The Press on Sunday:
“Look, the markets are natural animals. And also you by no means know what the response goes to be. One factor that I can inform you, because the treasury secretary, what I’ve been very impressed with is the market infrastructure, that we had file quantity on Friday.
And every little thing is working very easily so the American individuals, they’ll take nice consolation in that. And by way of the market response, look, we get these short-term market reactions every now and then. The market persistently underestimates Donald Trump.
I do not forget that in 2016, the night time President Trump received, the market crashed. And it turned out he was going to be essentially the most pro-business president in over a century, perhaps within the historical past of the nation. And we went on to very excessive after-inflation returns for the subsequent 4 years.”
Donald Trump’s 10% tariff on all imports from many international locations, together with the UK, has come into power after 48 hours of turmoil.
The Guardian’s Aneesa Ahmed and Reuters stories:
US customs brokers started accumulating the unilateral tariff at US seaports, airports and customs warehouses on Saturday, with increased levies on items from 57 bigger buying and selling companions as a result of begin subsequent week – together with from the EU, which might be hit with a 20% charge.
Trump’s sweeping adjustments have roiled world markets, with China, hardest hit by the tariffs, asserting a slew of countermeasures, together with additional levies of 34% on all US items and export curbs on some uncommon earth minerals.
“The market has spoken,” the Chinese language international ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun mentioned in a put up on Fb on Saturday.
Regardless of the turmoil, Trump has continued to champion his “liberation day” tariffs.
For the complete story, click on right here:
The European Union is ready to defend its pursuits with proportionate countermeasures towards US president Donald Trump’s tariffs and can work with companions in direction of this finish, Fee president Ursula von der Leyen mentioned on Sunday after a phone name with UK prime minister Keir Starmer.
Von der Leyen additionally mentioned the 27-country bloc is dedicated to working intently with Britain on safety and defence and that she was involved about Russia’s stalling of peace efforts in Ukraine.
She’s going to meet Starmer in London on April 24 on the event of the Worldwide Summit on the Way forward for Power Safety.
US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick mentioned that the tariffs imposed by Donald Trump will stay “for days and weeks.”
Chatting with CBS Information’s Face the Nation, Lutnick mentioned:
“There’s no suspending. They’re positively going to remain in place for days and weeks.”
He additionally mentioned that some barren islands together with the Heard and McDonald Islands which have additionally been hit by Trump’s tariffs and are mosly populated by penguins had been additionally included on the listing so international locations couldn’t use them as a loophole.
“What occurs is, when you depart something off the listing, the international locations that attempt to principally arbitrage America, undergo these international locations to us,” he mentioned.
European fee president ‘deeply involved’ by tariffs and vows to impose ‘countermeasures’ if obligatory
The EU is ready to defend its pursuits with proportionate countermeasures towards Trump’s tariffs, the bloc’s fee president Ursula von der Leyen mentioned on Sunday after a phone name with Keir Starmer, the UK’s prime minister.
Right here is a part of the readout of the decision:
The President expressed her deep concern over the tariffs introduced by President Trump on 2 April and the hurt they pose to all international locations—each by means of their direct and oblique results, together with on the world’s poorest nations.
Recognising that the tariffs signify a serious turning level for the US, she reaffirmed the EU’s dedication to participating in negotiations with the US, whereas making clear that the EU stands able to defend its pursuits by means of proportionate countermeasures if obligatory.
On the identical time, she emphasised her dedication to work with companions in responding to this new actuality for the worldwide economic system, acknowledging that every buying and selling companion will act in accordance with its personal priorities.
Trump final week put the EU into a gaggle of 60 international locations topic to increased so-called “reciprocal” tariffs. He’s imposing a 20 % tariff on EU items coming into the US.
Von der Leyen has mentioned the EU has a “sturdy plan” to retaliate towards the steep levies however would like to barter.
As my colleague Jennifer Rankin notes on this story, EU officers haven’t dominated out retaliatory measures on US companies, reminiscent of suspending mental property rights. In concept, retaliation might goal US tech firms, banks and monetary service suppliers.
My colleague Edward Helmore has written a narrative about how recession fears are mounting in America within the wake of Trump’s tariff announcement final week. Right here is an extract from his piece:
JP Morgan analysts final week boosted their odds on a worldwide recession to 60% and Individuals are bracing for a return of inflation – the factor that above all else possible doomed Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden…
On the streets of New York there was panic amongst some. In Washington Sq. Park, two sisters from Detroit had been sitting on a park bench close by the magnolia bushes now in bloom. Kathleen, a main college instructor, mentioned she apprehensive about whether or not there was a plan in place earlier than adjustments are made.
“I wish to be optimistic, however I dwell below an umbrella of fear with this administration,” Kathleen mentioned. “I fear in regards to the management, fear a few lack of continuity throughout the management, and so many adjustments without delay with out a plan.”
Her sister, Elizabeth, mentioned she’d grown so anxious she’d stepped again from the information. “Our mum positively had an enormous leap in anxiousness over this previous week over her investments. She labored arduous for these and she or he lives on them – a retired schoolteacher, and the drop in shares very a lot impacts her day-to-day feeling of safety.”
Greater than 50 international locations have contacted White Home to begin commerce talks – Trump adviser
Greater than 50 international locations have reached out to the White Home to start commerce talks, the US nationwide financial council director Kevin Hassett has advised ABC Information’ This Week programme. He mentioned:
I received a report from the USTR final night time (the workplace of the US commerce consultant) that greater than 50 international locations have reached out to the president to start a negotiation.
However they’re doing that as a result of they perceive that they bear numerous the tariff.
And so I don’t suppose you will notice an enormous impact on the patron within the US as a result of I do suppose that the explanation why we’ve a persistent, future commerce deficit is these individuals have very inelastic provide.
They’ve been dumping items into the nation in an effort to create jobs say in China.
Hasset denied that the tariffs had been a part of a method by Trump to crash monetary markets to strain the US federal reserve to chop rates of interest, insisting there have been can be no “political coercion” of the central financial institution.
As we’ve been reporting all through the day, items imported from dozens of nations and territories at the moment are going to be taxed at sharply increased charges, and that’s anticipated to drive up the prices of every little thing from automobiles to garments to computer systems.
These tariffs – which might run as excessive as 50% – are supposed to punish international locations for commerce obstacles that Trump says unfairly restrict US exports and trigger it to run large commerce deficits.
It’s unclear whether or not the tariffs might be lengthy lasting or if Washington will decrease or drop them in response to different international locations negotiating to scale back their very own tariffs and different commerce obstacles.
US retail giants predicted that costs had been “extremely possible” to begin rising for US virtually instantly after a 25% responsibility got here into impact on exports from Mexico to the US.
Individuals have been warned to brace for increased costs extra usually too, with households fearing a recession sooner or later and better inflation due to tariffs.
Trump’s workforce has mentioned any quick time period shock to the economic system might be definitely worth the internet positives of the tariffs, which the US president claims will assist carry manufacturing again to the states and enhance tax revenues.
Abstract of the day thus far…
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Donald Trump’s 10% tariff on all imports from many international locations, together with the UK, has come into power. It should possible push up costs for shoppers around the globe. Some international locations are dealing with further levies on imports.
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Among the highest tariffs might be placed on imports from Asian international locations, together with China, India, South Korea and Japan. EU exports can even have a 20% tariff.
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World leaders are mulling over how greatest to answer the sweeping tariffs, which danger sparking a worldwide commerce warfare and recession.
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Indonesia and Taiwan mentioned on Sunday they received’t impose retaliatory tariffs whereas Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to Washington to satisfy Trump to attempt to get the president to decrease his levies.
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Vietnam’s chief has reportedly requested a delay of “no less than 45 days” to tariffs as a result of be imposed on Wednesday (Trump has slapped a 46% responsibility on Vietnamese items coming into the US – the sixth-highest charge introduced final week).
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India additionally doesn’t plan to retaliate towards Trump’s 26% tariff on its exports into the US, in response to stories.
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The EU is more likely to approve its first set of focused countermeasures on as much as $28bn (£21.7bn; €25bn) of US imports within the coming days.
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Within the UK, which has been hit by Trump’s 10% “baseline” tariff, Keir Starmer mentioned he’s prepared to make use of industrial coverage to “shelter British enterprise from the storm”. “Previous assumptions can not be taken as a right. The world as we knew it has gone. We should rise to satisfy the second,” the prime minister mentioned. Darren Jones, chief secretary to the Treasury, mentioned the period of globalisation as we knew it has “come to an finish” within the wake of the brand new tariffs.
Edward Helmore
Ted Cruz, the US senator from Texas, has warned that his fellow Republicans danger a “massacre” within the 2026 midterm elections if Donald Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs trigger a recession.
Cruz additionally warned that the president’s tariffs, in the event that they keep in place for lengthy and are met by world retaliation on American items, might set off a full-blown commerce warfare that “would destroy jobs right here at dwelling, and do actual harm to the US economic system”.
“100 years in the past, the US economic system didn’t have the leverage to have the type of affect we do now. However I fear, there are voices throughout the administration that wish to see these tariffs proceed without end,” he added.
The Texan’s feedback, made on his Verdict podcast on Friday, had been an extra signal that the imposition of world “reciprocal” duties on imported items is inflicting unease amongst Republicans.
The Republican US senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa launched bipartisan laws on Thursday to grant Congress extra energy over inserting tariffs on US buying and selling nations. The invoice, co-sponsored by the Democratic senator Maria Cantwell, would “reaffirm” the position of Congress in setting and approving commerce coverage.
You may learn the complete story right here:
Crowds of individuals indignant about the best way Donald Trump is operating the US rallied in scores of American cities on Saturday within the largest day of demonstrations but by an opposition motion.
The so-called “Fingers Off!” demonstrations had been held in additional than 1,200 places in all 50 states by greater than 150 teams, together with civil rights organizations, labor unions, LBGTQ+ advocates, veterans and elections activists.
Demonstrators voiced anger over the administration’s strikes to fireside 1000’s of federal staff, shut social safety administration subject workplaces, successfully shutter whole businesses, deport immigrants, reduce protections for transgender individuals and lower funding for well being applications.
Coming days after Trump’s tariff announcement, gatherings had been additionally held exterior the US, together with within the European capital cities of London, Paris and Berlin, with many protestors there additionally expressing anger over the president’s new commerce insurance policies. Listed below are some photos of the demonstrations:
India doesn’t plan reciprocal tariffs – supply
India doesn’t plan to retaliate towards Donald Trump’s 26% tariff on its exports into the US, an Indian authorities official advised Reuters, citing ongoing talks for a deal between the international locations.
Narendra Modi’s administration has seemed right into a clause of Trump’s tariff order that provides a attainable reprieve for buying and selling companions who “take vital steps to treatment non-reciprocal commerce preparations”, mentioned the official, who declined to be named as the main points of the talks are confidential.
New Delhi sees a bonus in being one of many first nations to have began talks over a commerce cope with Washington, and is healthier positioned than Asian friends like China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, which have been hit by increased US tariffs, a second authorities official advised the information wire, additionally declining to be named.
Whereas the US seems set to keep away from reciprocal tariffs from India, Taiwan and Indonesia the response from the European Union could possibly be very completely different because it discusses imposing additional duties on US items this week. China has already imposed 34% retaliatory tariffs.

Heather Stewart
One of the crucial wilfully damaging elements of Donald Trump’s shock and awe commerce coverage is the imposition of punitive tariffs on growing international locations throughout Asia, together with charges of 49% for Cambodia, 37% for Bangladesh, 48% for Laos.
For many years Washington had championed financial growth by means of commerce. Now, concurrently slashing abroad support budgets and retreating from its position in supporting growing nations, it’s ripping up that concept solely.
As a substitute, Trump intends to impose his will on the US’s buying and selling companions. Some are all however powerless to actual concessions, given their small dimension, and dependence on the mighty American market.
Alice Oyaro, the chief govt on the charity Rework Commerce, which works with producers in a number of the worst-hit international locations, says: “Our largest concern is that the further prices are pushed all the way down to these within the provide chain who’re least in a position to pay. Small farmers exporting every little thing from inexperienced beans to cocoa, and ladies staff in Bangladeshi factories are already discovering it arduous to make ends meet. They may see their incomes squeezed much more.”
You may learn the complete piece from our economics editor right here
Vietnam seeks tariff delay
Vietnam’s chief has requested a delay of “no less than 45 days” to tariffs as a result of be imposed by the US on 9 April, in response to a duplicate of a signed letter seen by Agence France-Presse, the wire service reported on Sunday.
The south-east Asian nation is dealing with 46% US tariffs, one of many highest ranges imposed by Donald Trump.
To Lam referred to as on Trump within the letter to assign a consultant to work with Vietnam’s deputy prime minister, Ho Duc Phoc, on resolving the problem, including that he hoped to satisfy Trump personally in Washington on the finish of Could.
Taiwan has ‘no plans’ for reciprocal tariffs, says president
Taiwan’s president has now mentioned there are no plans for reciprocal commerce tariffs towards the US.
Reuters stories that the 32% tariffs on Taiwanese items introduced by Donald Trump don’t apply to semiconductors, a serious export for the nation.
Assembly executives from small and medium-sized firms at his residence, the president, Lai Ching-te, mentioned given Taiwan’s dependence on commerce the economic system would inevitably have a tough time coping with the tariffs, however that he thought the affect could possibly be minimised.
“Within the face of the US ‘reciprocal tariffs’, Taiwan has no plans to take tariff retaliation, and there might be no change within the funding commitments of enterprises to the US so long as they’re within the nationwide curiosity,” he mentioned, in feedback supplied by his workplace.
Taiwan’s TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, final month introduced a further $100bn funding within the US.
Taiwan will now work to take away commerce obstacles and produce other firms step by step enhance their US investments. “Sooner or later, along with TSMC’s elevated funding, different industries, reminiscent of electronics, info and communications, petrochemicals, and pure fuel will be capable to enhance funding within the US and deepen Taiwan-US industrial cooperation,” Lai mentioned.
As we talked about in an earlier put up, Taiwan, for whom the US is the island’s most essential worldwide backer within the face of mounting Chinese language strain over Beijing’s sovereignty claims, has not introduced any retaliatory tariffs.
However the nation’s president, Lai Ching-te, mentioned his authorities will take away commerce obstacles and Taiwanese firms will step by step enhance their home investments. We offers you extra info on this as we get it.
Taiwan, which faces a brand new 32% tariff charge from the US, has already introduced T$88bn ($2.67bn; £2.1bn) in help for affected firms.
Taiwan runs a big commerce surplus with the US. Taiwanese officers have repeatedly mentioned commerce with America has been skewed by sturdy demand for Taiwanese expertise merchandise, reminiscent of superior semiconductors – a sector dominated by the island.
Musk says he hopes for a ‘zero-tariff state of affairs’ between US and Europe
Elon Musk, who heads the so-called division of presidency effectivity as considered one of Donald Trump’s closest advisers, has mentioned he hopes to see full freedom of commerce between the US and Europe.
The Tesla CEO and proprietor of X was talking by way of video-link at a congress in Florence of Italy’s right-wing, co-ruling League Celebration on Saturday. He was being interviewed by Italy’s hard-line deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini.
“On the finish of the day, I hope it’s agreed that each Europe and the US ought to transfer ideally, for my part, to a zero tariff state of affairs, successfully making a free commerce zone between Europe and North America,” the billionaire mentioned.
“And extra freedom for individuals to maneuver between Europe and North America, if they need,” Musk mentioned, including, “that has definitely been my recommendation to the president”.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mentioned on Thursday that the US’s commerce tariffs had been a mistake however their affect shouldn’t be overestimated and the response wanted to be fastidiously thought-about.
The Financial institution of Italy mentioned on Friday the euro zone’s third largest economic system would develop by simply 0.5% this 12 months, lower than half the federal government’s 1.2% forecast made in September.
Excessive-debt Italy has dedicated to bringing its deficit beneath the EU’s 3% of gross home product ceiling in 2026 from 3.4% in 2024, a process made more durable by its faltering financial progress.