More than 50 countries have approached U.S. President Donald Trump seeking negotiations to avoid steep new tariffs on exports to the United States, the White House said on Sunday, as global trade partners brace for the economic impact.
Despite growing concern and market instability following Wednesday’s sweeping tariff announcement, Trump has remained steadfast in his position. He declared his trade policy “will never change,” even as global markets experienced significant turbulence.
However, the administration’s staggered deadlines for implementing the tariffs have created an opening for dialogue. “More than 50 countries have reached out to the president to begin negotiations,” said Kevin Hassett, head of the White House National Economic Council, during an interview on ABC’s This Week, citing information from the U.S. Trade Representative. Hassett argued that these countries are seeking talks because they recognize they “bear a lot of the tariffs,” while downplaying the impact on American consumers. “I don’t think you’re going to see a big effect on U.S. consumers,” he claimed.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed the figure during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, noting that it would be up to Trump to decide whether to engage in talks. “He’s created maximum leverage,” Bessent said, adding that it depends on “what the countries offer, and whether it’s believable.”
He also criticized long-standing trade practices by some nations, calling them “bad actors,” and warned that these issues “can’t be negotiated away in days or weeks.” While Trump views tariffs as a tool to correct what he sees as unfair trade imbalances, many economists warn that such policies ultimately drive up prices for consumers and contribute to market volatility.
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