Stocks continued their slide Wednesday as President Donald Trump’s 104% tariffs on Chinese goods kicked into effect and China responded with retaliatory 84% tariffs on U.S. goods. But amid the market turmoil are strong signs that Trump’s tariff agenda is having its intended effect as dozens of nations rush to negotiate new trade deals with the United States.
According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, approximately 70 countries have now reached out to the United States to negotiate and potentially eliminate tariffs. President Donald Trump placed a 10 percent tariff on all countries last week, as well as additional tariffs on those nations that have larger trade deficits with America.
Notable countries that have already reached out include India, Japan, Israel, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand. The European Union, which consists of 27 countries, also wants a new deal. Bessent explained that Japan will likely receive priority in the negotiations.
“Japan is a very important military ally,” he said. “They’re a very important economic ally, and the U.S. has a lot of history with them. So, I would expect that Japan’s going to get priority just because they came forward very quickly. But it is going to be very busy.”
Bessent praised Japan, explaining that the country “remains among America’s closest allies” and that he is looking forward “to our upcoming productive engagement regarding tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers, currency issues, and government subsidies.”
“Spoke to the Japanese Prime Minister this morning,” Trump said Monday on Truth Social. “He is sending a top team to negotiate! They have treated the U.S. very poorly on Trade. They don’t take our cars, but we take MILLIONS of theirs.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to America on Monday to personally meet with Trump and discuss reducing tariffs with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
“We will eliminate the trade deficit with the United States,” Netanyahu said in his meeting with the president. “We intend to do it very quickly. We think it’s the right thing to do, and we’re going to also eliminate trade barriers, a variety of trade barriers that have been put up unnecessarily. And I think Israel can serve as a model for many countries who ought to do the same.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also reportedly plans to visit the United States next week to negotiate tariffs.
Democrats and most corporate media analysts have blasted Trump’s tariffs as a “trade war” that will harm American businesses and consumers. But the flood of nations rushing to negotiate trade deals on fairer terms to the United States suggests that Trump’s strategy could quickly yield favorable results.
Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin defended Trump’s tariffs by explaining that this is not the beginning of a trade war, but rather a rebalancing of the trade deficit with other nations.
“This isn’t a trade war,” Mullin said. “This is balancing our economy with countries that have taken advantage of us. There are countries for decades that have got rich over the backs of the workers here in America. What’s happened is we’ve lost manufacturing jobs because of our unfair trade deals that have left America, went to other countries building their products, and turning it back around and selling it to our economy.”
However, one nation that has so far refused to budge is China. But some business leaders believe Trump shouldn’t back down.
Appearing on CNN this week, Canadian entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary, a judge on Shark Tank, said Trump should continue to ramp up pressure on Beijing.
“104% tariffs on China are not enough. I’m advocating 400%,” O’Leary said. “I do business in China. They don’t play by the rules. They’ve been in the WTO for decades, and they have never abided by any of the rules they agreed to when they came in. For decades. They cheat, they steal, they steal IP. I can’t litigate in their courts. They take product technology, they steal it, they manufacture it and sell it back here.”
“I want [Chinese President Xi Jinping] on an airplane to Washington to level the playing field,” O’Leary continued. “This is not about tariffs anymore. Nobody has taken on China yet. Not the Europeans. No administration for decades. As someone who actually does business there, I’ve had enough. I speak for millions of Americans who have IP that have been stolen by the Chinese.”
Economists are divided over whether Trump’s strategy of using tariffs to force China to the negotiating table will be successful. But if it is, it could fundamentally rebalance global trade toward a more favorable position for the United States and begin reversing decades of globalist trade policy that decimated the U.S. manufacturing sector and the American working class.
Alan Jamison is the pen name of a political writer with extensive experience writing for several notable politicians and news outlets.
The whole difference here is that we now have a bussiness man in the White house and not a fumbling Lawyer who sold our country down the sh##er. Surprise, surprise, the stock market as of today is soaring. Stay the coarse.
I trust TRUMP!
Even the dems know this is a smart move, that’s why they are trying to sabotage these proposed tariffs. People should realize that this is a negotiating tactic and it’s already seeing results. Today Trump announced that he will suspend some tariffs for 90 days. Why? Because. many nations have already agreed to rework their deals. Trump will see if the new deals are good for America and then he will decide whether or not to reduce or eliminate certain tariffs. It’s just common sense and the dems running around like Chicken Little, will only come back to haunt them when the US comes out of this stronger and with more money in our pockets.
China is on The verge of collapse as it is. Perhaps this is what will push them over the edge.
Trump is a leader and business man!.. The Democrats, especially their so called leadership, are politicians and only politicians. Biden, Harris and Schumer are all political hacks and are over their heads in Washington. The Democrats have NO leadership. NONE!!!
China should be dealt with,with an iron fist . They are a bunch of lying thieves. All U. S.companies should get out of China . We’ve sold our own selves down the river by placating these commies . They should have never been given the most favored nation trade status. Does anyone not understand they are trying to take over the US and we are helping them . There’s so many traitors in our own country that I question if we can ever get the upper hand again . We will bury you! Should be their motto.
We saved Europe during and after WW 2 and they have screwed us ever since. The same can be said for Asian countries. Other countries also have been banning USA products for years, but we allow them to flood our markets and many of their products are junk. Then we, the USA have troops in these countries to protect them from Communism and they stick it to us. Trump sees and understands this as a businessman and other president both democrat and republican had no clue because they are politicians and not in the real world.
As much as some may be loathe to admit it, President Trumps’ tarrif deals are likely to save a significant amount of money and make us more competitive in the global marketplace. He’s a businessman and strategist.
We need to shake up trade in the world. The WTO hasn’t changed anything for years and China got rich and America got poor because the last 4 presidents, save Trump, did anything to correct the trade imbalance with China or Europe or any nation. The dem politicians were getting rich because the stock market was rising, but the people were getting poorer and jobless. The auto and steel industry has gone the way of the steam automobile. Biden stopped our oil and gas industry. All in the name of climate change. How much carbons are needed to ship all these products from China all over the world or oil from Venezuela to America and LNG to Europe. Is that the best plan for the environment. Outsource everything to China and SE Asia and Mexico and So America. Really an “excellent” save the environment plan democrats. NOT. We used to have a slogan buy American. And in the 1990’s everything was outsourced. Many many jobs have been eliminated. This shake up is sorely needed will America be profitable again. It will work because it is needed. The DOW today shows that Trump is right.
Let’s be hopeful and grateful.
AS ALWAYS, TRUMP IS RIGHT AGAIN.
AND AS ALWAYS, THE DAMNOCRAPS, FAKE NEWS MEDIA, WALL STREET SPECULATORS, ECONOMISTS, DOOMSDAYERS, TRUMP-HATERS, BACKSTABBING RINOs AND A FEW REPUBLICAN TURNCOATS ARE WRONG AGAIN.
President Trump is using these Tariffs as a negotiating tool to eliminate the imbalance in trade between America and the world. TDS infected and short sighted Politicians, pundits and Keynesian “economists” decry Tariffs, but, as usual, are wrong. Tariffs were America’s primary source of revenue until Wilson involved us in WWI and started the income tax. President Trump is merely leveling the economic playing field.
ALL nations save Russia, Iran, China,
VP Vance is not helping any ART OF THE DEAL , when he makes a comment about Chinese peasants. Maybe, Vance should read THE ART OF WAR that was written many years ago & will give him a history lesson about the Chinese civilization.
It’s important to remember that there are other countries that would like to fill in the void of lost trade with China. China isn’t just unfair in how it trades with the US, but it undermines the ability of other countries to compete with China for the American market. As trade with China diminishes these other countries are waiting for their chance to come to trade agreements with the US. As more market share leaves China and goes elsewhere there’s a strong chance it never returns.
Knew it would happen.
DT a business man???? You all must be joking, the man struggles to string a sentence together, let alone has any financial acumen what so ever. Hopefully most will have the attention span and respect to read past this first sententence before exploding into a tirade of abuse.
Since the 18th of Feb 2025 the Nasdaq has gone from over 20000pts to now not even 17000 and the Dow has lost 4500 points in the same period, hardly the signs of successful financial management, sorry guys you can spin all the rubbish you like but the numbers don’t lie. I don’t care what side of politics you support, the whole world is in disbelief at how gullible you have become. The average citizen inside the US wouldn’t even know how a tariff works, just an FYI, ultimately the consumer (you) ends up paying for it, It is a form of indirect taxation. Can you realistically see a company opening up in the US to make toasters, kettles, t-shirts, underwear or maybe a mobile phone? No, its just not going to happen no matter how much you smack some of your supposed allies around. So the goods will be continued to be made in Taiwan, Vietnam or China just to name a few and you the consumer will pay 48% or more for them (or what ever stupid made up tariff is put on them) Contrary to your propaganda very few countries are caving in to these ridiculous tariffs , they are all busy looking for alternative markets. No one but the Equadorian president and Putin wants to make a deal with him, most world leaders know you cant deal with someone who is mentally unhinged. Trump is effectively pushing traditional allies into trade arrangements with China. The only person that thinks its a “beautiful wonderful thing” is your president (oh and Karoline Leavett because shes paid to say so). Look at tourism to the US its down 9% because no one wants to visit your country while its being run the way it is. Actually, now there’s a balance you need to fix. perhaps some of you need to get a passport and go visit outside of your own backyards and god forbid broaden your horizons. You may actually see how the rest of the world lives and how the garbage you are being fed just isnt true. Seriously, Re China where do you get the idea to suggest they are going broke? From X , Fox news, Facebook or directly from your illustrious leader or maybe his plethora of ego stroking supporters that he has surrounded himself with.
Ultimatley It doesn’t matter who the president is or what side of politics you support, you don’t have to swallow all their rhetoric. Do yourself a favor and educate yourself by trying getting a balanced view, this involves reading both sides of an arguement. Seek out as many different sources of independent local and overseas news and information sources as you can. I’m sure you will be surprised by the garbage you are being fed inside the US, especially with what is percieved to be happening on the outside world. Or, is every media outlet throughout the whole world that isnt Trump supportive just pedaling Fake news? Somehow I think the odds of this being true is very very slim.
make part of the deals with other countries that they join the US in making China play by the rules. When China finds markets unified against them, they’ll play ball.
Trump today had Cabinet meeting & brought up that we defend Japan & they will never defend the USA if attacked and that is unfair. I suggest that Trump & crew read up the history of WWII & how it ended with agreements with one of them being Japan. The GREATEST GENERATION brought the world many years of peace & a POTUS should not try to change history that is good for all Americans.
Tariffs are becoming Trump’s HUMPTY DUMPTY ON THE WALL story of the year. Trump did not like NAFTA during his first term & so he negotiated his art of the deal agreement with Mexico and Canada. Is he breaking that agreement this year & if so , will other countries trust him to sign a deal?
Trump on Wednesday said that “We are taking in $2 Billion per day on tariffs”. My question, who is we & where is all of this money being accumulated ?
Now is exactly the right time to put the pressure on China while their economy is faltering. They will be belligerent and try to get Trump to back down, but it is Trump that holds the better hand and will ultimately win this game of chicken! Two things; China knows that it hasn’t played fair in lots of ways, for many years, and has been taking absolute advantage of the United States concerning trade. Chins also knows that it cannot afford to lose the American marketplace to sell its goods. I expect a deal to be struck with Trump and Bejing very soon but quietly! China will not wish to appear to have backed down but will ultimately do just that! Its economy cannot afford to lose the very lucrative US marketplace.
You lot are so gullible its flabbergasting!! Trump doesnt know what’s he’s doing at all, he thought he could bully his way around getting cheap trade victories – NONE of his data or ‘facts’ are real, its all completely made up to fit his agenda – which is to make gain for him and his billionaire buds!
He doesnt give a hooters about me. you or anyone else, american or foreign alike – he’s just about serving himself, WAKE UP!!!!
This blackmail scheme is most assuredly going to accomplish one thing and that is the incredible growth in numbers and powers of the BRICS nations.
That “dollar as the reserve currency” scam worked pretty good for some 50 odd years. I wonder if an official funeral for it will be declared or if the funds wont be available for such ceremonies?