WATCH: Leavitt defends Trump's tariffs, saying other countries need U.S. markets to survive
April 11, 2025
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2:43Now PlayingWATCH: Leavitt defends Trump's tariffs, saying other countries need U.S. markets to survive
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as posted by the channelAt a news briefing Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said “the phones are ringing off the hooks” from countries hoping to make trade deals after President Donald Trump’s chaotic tariff rollout.
Though Trump initially imposed high tariffs on many countries, he walked the vast majority of them back to 10 percent for 90 days on Wednesday. The major exception is a 145 percent tariff on imports from China, which retaliated Friday by raising its tariffs on U.S. goods to 125 percent.
Trump “would be gracious if China intends to make a deal with the United States,” Leavitt said. “If China continues to retaliate, it's not good for China.”
She added: “The president made it very clear when the United States is punched, he will punch back harder.”
Leavitt also said that allied countries have been reaching out to the U.S. to make deals, including South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Italy. She said countries need the American consumer base and markets for their businesses to succeed.
Global markets have been volatile for the past week as the unfolding trade wars stoke uncertainty among businesses and investors. Trump said Wednesday that he paused his tariffs after people got “yippy.”
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