WASHINGTON () The White House on Wednesday is expecting final offers from its trade partners as President Donald Trump’s pause on reciprocal tariffs is set to expire in the coming weeks.
The office of the U.S. Trade Representative sent a “friendly reminder” to countries Tuesday urging them to submit their “best offers,” in a signal that the administration is preparing to resume global tariffs first imposed on so-called “Liberation Day,” then paused for 90 days shortly afterward.
“This letter was simply to remind these countries that the deadline is approaching and the president expects good deals, and we are on track for that,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Trump: China ‘hard to make a deal with’
Trump weighed in on U.S.-China trade talks on social media early Wednesday morning.
“I like President Xi of China, always have, and always will, but he is very tough, and extremely hard to make a deal with,” he wrote.
The White House said a call between Trump and Xi is expected sometime this week, though no hard date has been set.
EU-US trade talks heat up in Paris
Meanwhile, the European Union, which says it did not receive the administration’s letter, is set to meet with U.S. trade representatives Wednesday in Paris.
The EU has warned it may speed up its retaliatory measures if Trump follows through with his tariff threats.
US doubles steel, aluminum tariffs
Trump announced at a rally in Pennsylvania last month that the U.S. would double tariffs on steel and aluminum, increasing them from 25% to 50%, starting today.
The decision was met with cheers from steelworkers but has some concerned that manufacturers will pass higher costs on to consumers.
Experts estimate cars could cost up to $4,000 more due to pricier steel, and aluminum cans for soda, beer and canned food may also become more expensive.
The White House has defended the move and said the tariffs are crucial to national security and the U.S. economy.
