Trump tariffs to stay in place for 'days and weeks,' there is no postponing - US Commerce Secretary
Photo: US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (Getty Images)
The US has no intention of delaying the implementation of new tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump, despite several countries' calls to reconsider them, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says in an interview with CBS.
The new American tariffs will remain in effect for a long time, the US Commerce Secretary emphasized.
"There is no postponing. They (tariffs - ed.) are definitely gonna stay in place for days and weeks, that is sort of obvious. The President (Donald Trump – ed.) needs to reset the global trade," Lutnick said.
US Commerce Secretary also added that, supposedly, all other countries have trade surpluses, while the US has a trade deficit, so the new tariffs are intended to change that.
"We are paying away our future and our lives. The countries of the world are ripping us off and it's got to end. The President has made it crystal crystal clear - this is the policy," Lutnick emphasized.
Trump's new tariffs
On April 2, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on imports from more than 180 countries. Trump explained the move as a necessary response to the "unfair tariffs" other nations impose on American goods.
According to the document, certain countries will be subject to reciprocal tariffs ranging from 11% to 48%, while a "base" rate of 10% will apply to the rest. Exceptions are made for Canada and Mexico, as their customs policies are governed separately.
At the same time, Lutnick previously stated that the Trump administration is negotiating with all major US trade partners around the world on how to reduce the impact of the new American tariffs. According to the Commerce Secretary, US trading partners have the option to lower the tariffs - if they agree to change their rules to allow for more imports of American goods.
As previously reported, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to visit the White House on April 7. In particular, Netanyahu intends to discuss the new tariffs with Trump.
In addition, US President Donald Trump has already discussed tariff revisions with representatives of Vietnam, India, and Israel.
