Topline
President Donald Trump does not intend to lower his baseline 10% tariff on imported goods even after trade deals are reached with foreign governments, the White House said Friday, suggesting the president’s controversial tariffs will remain in place permanently even as his administration negotiates with countries around the world.
President Donald Trump announces his “Liberation Day” tariffs at the White House on April 2 in … More Washington, DC.
Key Facts
Trump is “determined” to keep the 10% baseline tariffs he’s imposed on foreign imports in place despite any trade negotiations, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Friday.
Trump is committed to the 10% rate “for his trade negotiations with all … countries,” Leavitt said, and—when asked if that meant the 10% rate would be permanent and remain even after all trade negotiations are done—responded, “The president is determined to continue with that 10% baseline tariff, I just spoke to him about it earlier.”
Leavitt’s comments came after the Trump administration announced its first trade deal Thursday, which was made with the United Kingdom and keeps the 10% tariff rate Trump previously levied on U.K. imports in place.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick similarly told CNBC on Thursday the administration would not get rid of tariffs on countries’ imports entirely even after negotiations conclude, claiming the 10% rate would remain for countries that have a “balanced budget” in terms of their trade with the U.S.
Tariff rates could go above 10% for some countries even after trade deals are negotiated, Lutnick suggested Thursday, saying for countries that have trade deficits with the U.S., “The best they can do is 10%—most likely they’ll be higher.”
This story is breaking and will be updated.