Over 50 Countries Seek Talks with Trump on Tariffs

More than 50 countries have reached out to President Donald Trump, requesting talks in a bid to ease the heavy tariffs imposed on exports to the United States, the White House confirmed on Sunday. The move comes as global trade partners brace for the economic consequences of the tariffs.

Since announcing the sweeping tariffs on Wednesday, President Trump has remained resolute, stating that his policies "will never change" despite the market turmoil they triggered. His stance has left international markets reeling, but the staggered deadlines for tariff implementation have given some countries room for negotiations.

"Over 50 countries have approached the president seeking to begin negotiations," Kevin Hassett, chairman of the White House National Economic Council, told ABC's This Week on Sunday, referencing the US Trade Representative. He noted that these countries were reaching out because they recognized the economic burden of the tariffs.

Hassett further asserted that the tariffs would not significantly impact U.S. consumers, claiming, "I don’t think you’re going to see a big effect on the consumer in the U.S."

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed these comments on NBC's Meet the Press, confirming that 50 countries had made similar requests. However, when asked whether Trump would engage in talks, Bessent left the decision to the president, adding, "I think that's a decision for President Trump."

Bessent also pointed to the strategic leverage Trump has gained through the tariffs. "At this moment, he's created maximum leverage for himself... We'll have to see what the countries offer and whether it's believable," he explained. He further emphasized that some nations had been "bad actors for a long time," suggesting that the issues could not be resolved in a matter of days or weeks.

Trump has long argued that many countries taking advantage of trade imbalances with the U.S. are unfairly benefiting at the expense of American workers. He views tariffs as a necessary step to rectify this situation.

However, many economists warn that these tariffs are ultimately passed on to consumers, potentially leading to price increases in the U.S. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding trade relations and manufacturing has also contributed to a global market panic, further exacerbating economic concerns.