President Donald Trumpโs aggressive new trade plan has triggered chaos worldwide. Over 50 countries are already reaching out to avoid the economic fallout.
Top officials confirmed Sunday that nations are lining up to negotiate. The move comes just days before steep U.S. tariffs kick in on Wednesday.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. wonโt rush the talks. โThis isnโt something we fix in days or weeks,โ he told NBC. โWe need to see if these countries are serious.โ
Trump Stays Defiant on the Golf Course
While markets tanked and global leaders panicked, Trump spent the weekend golfing in Florida.
From Mar-a-Lago, he posted a message to his followers: โWE WILL WIN. HANG TOUGH, it wonโt be easy.โ
His team hit the airwaves, defending the sweeping tariffs and dismissing talk of recession.
โThere doesnโt have to be a recession,โ Bessent insisted. โThe focus is on long-term prosperity.โ
A Promise Kept, A Market Shaken
Trumpโs tariff blitz, launched on April 2, fulfilled a major campaign vow. Acting without Congress, he reshaped the global trade map.
Supporters call it a necessary reset. Critics warn it could push the U.S. into a recession.
Wall Street responded swiftly. The Dow dropped over 2,300 points last week. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also took deep dives.
Countries Race to Avoid Economic Pain
The White House says more than 50 countries want to talk. That list includes allies and adversaries alike.
China has already retaliated. Israel faces a 17% tariff. Even Vietnamโone of the most trade-friendly nationsโis scrambling to avoid penalties.
Trump said Vietnamโs leader offered to slash tariffs to zero if a deal is made.
Italyโs Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed concern but said her country is open to talks.
โWeโll use every tool necessary to protect our industries,โ she said.
White House: Tariffs Are Coming No Matter What
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick made the timeline crystal clear.
โThe tariffs are coming. Of course they are,โ he said on CBS. โThis is about resetting global trade.โ
He hinted they would remain โfor days and weeks,โ possibly longer.
Trump officials are using the tariffs to push for new trade deals. But they arenโt backing down from the immediate pressure.
Congress Eyes Checks on Executive Tariff Powers
Not everyone in Washington is thrilled.
Some Republicans are now pushing for new limits on presidential tariff powers.
A bipartisan bill would require Congress to approve new tariffs within 60 days. Otherwise, they expire.
Rep. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, plans to introduce the House version.
โIn hindsight, giving up that power was a mistake,โ he said.
Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming said Trump is within his rights, but concern is growing.
โPeople are watching the markets,โ Barrasso admitted. โThereโll be a discussion in the Senate.โ
Musk Breaks with Trump on Trade War
Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, weighed in on the tariffsโsort of.
Speaking in Italy, Musk said heโd prefer โa zero-tariff situationโ between the U.S. and Europe.
That drew sharp words from White House trade adviser Peter Navarro.
โElon sells cars. Of course he wants zero tariffs,โ Navarro said on Fox News. โHeโs protecting his business, plain and simple.โ
Mixed Signals Leave Economists Scratching Heads
Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers slammed the Trump teamโs mixed messages.
โYou canโt have it both ways,โ he told ABC. โEither itโs a revenue tool or a way to relocate jobs. But you canโt claim both.โ
Summers said that if the goal is permanent revenue and U.S. job creation, then the tariffs will stay forever.
If not, theyโre just another bargaining chip in a chaotic trade war.
Whatโs Next for Trump Trade Deals?
With the clock ticking, countries are racing to secure exemptions with specific Trump trade deals. But officials say only serious offers will matter.
Markets remain volatile. Supply chains are shifting. And pressure is mounting from all sides.
Even Trumpโs own party is split. Some back the tariffs. Others fear economic disaster if this gamble fails.
As of now, Trump isnโt blinking.
And with his campaign sloganโโMake America Wealthy Againโโon the line, the world waits to see who bends first.