Scott Bethsant, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and the economic leader of the Trump administration, warned that the high tariffs announced on April 2 could be reapplied if countries do not sincerely negotiate with the U.S.
On the 18th local time, Bethsant appeared on CNN and NBC broadcasts, stating that “President Trump can reinstate the April 2 level of tariffs on countries that are not genuine in negotiations.” However, he did not specify a particular timeframe.
He also mentioned, “We are currently focusing on negotiations with 18 major trading partners, and if negotiations fall through, some countries may have tariffs set at a regional level,” adding, “There will be many regional agreements where one rate is applied in Central America and another in a specific region of Africa.”
Previously, on the 16th, President Donald Trump had stated at a business roundtable event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, “As many as 150 countries want to negotiate trade deals with the U.S., but we can’t meet them all,” and predicted that “within 2-3 weeks, Secretary Bethsant and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will send letters to each country, guiding them on what costs they will have to bear to do business in the U.S.”
In response to criticisms that Trump’s tariff policy is causing confusion for businesses and consumers, Secretary Bethsant explained, “We aim to maintain strategic uncertainty to gain an advantage in negotiations.”
He continued, “If we provide too much certainty, the other countries might exploit us in negotiations,” and expressed confidence that “ultimately, it will benefit retailers, the American people, and workers.”