U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the 90-day moratorium on tariffs affecting more than 75 countries is unlikely to be extended. Instead, he emphasized his administration's intention to make trade deals, using tariffs as leverage.
"[Extension of the moratorium] is unlikely. We will make deals... We will just set a tariff, and it will be reasonable, very reasonable. And that way we will make a deal — by setting our price," Trump told reporters.
The President expressed confidence that markets would adapt to the new trade policy, calling the current period 'transitional'. He emphasized that the United States would no longer tolerate the multibillion-dollar losses that he believed had occurred in previous years.
These comments followed Trump's announcement in early April of imposing large-scale tariffs against more than 200 countries and territories. Later, he announced a 90-day 'pause' in the implementation of the decision, during which a base rate of 10% was applied.
China remained an exception to the moratorium, facing the toughest measures from the United States. Washington imposed phased new tariffs on Chinese goods, reaching 145% by mid-April. Beijing responded by raising tariffs on American goods to 125% and introducing export restrictions on certain minerals.
At a briefing on April 22, Trump acknowledged that the economic consequences of raising import tariffs would be felt in the United States for some time.
