White House advisers split on defending Trump tariffs as permanent
The article discusses the mixed responses from White House advisers regarding the future of President Donald Trump’s recently introduced tariffs. Trump has implemented a 10% “reciprocal” tariff on various countries, with additional rates scheduled to take effect shortly. The tariffs have triggered a downturn in global stock markets and raised concerns among analysts about their economic implications.
During Sunday talk shows, some administration officials suggested the tariffs might be permanent, while others mentioned the possibility of negotiating their rates.Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized the commitment to these tariffs, asserting that they would help revive U.S. manufacturing. Simultaneously occurring, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins indicated that numerous countries were seeking to negotiate with the U.S. on the tariff issue. There appeared to be a divide within the White House, with some advisers encouraging a hardline stance on tariffs, while others remained open to discussions aimed at altering them. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also hinted at the potential for negotiations, contingent on the offers made by other countries.
White House advisers split on defending Trump tariffs as permanent or a negotiating tactic
As President Donald Trump pushes forward his sweeping tariff policies, White House advisers are giving mixed messages on what the future holds for the policy.
Trump unveiled 10% “reciprocal” tariffs on most of the world, which went into effect on Saturday. He also announced higher tariff rates for select other countries, which will go into effect on Wednesday, per the White House. Since the tariffs were announced, stock markets globally have tanked, and the economic impact of the tariffs has alarmed analysts.
On Sunday talk shows, some Trump administration officials implied the tariffs were permanent, while others discussed the ability for the tariffs to be negotiated.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on CBS News’s Face the Nation that the tariffs “are coming” when asked if the administration is open to negotiations.
“He announced it, and he wasn’t kidding,” Lutnick said while insisting it will bring manufacturing back to the United States.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller posted on X on Sunday about the U.S. auto industry, discussing the need for more domestic manufacturing. Increased manufacturing in the U.S. has been a talking point from pro-tariff staffers in the White House.
“During Joe Biden’s Administration US-born Americans gained zero net jobs in four years. All jobs gains for foreign workers. For American workers, the Biden years were a depression,” Miller posted on X.
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, a pro-tariff hawk in the administration, also predicted automakers would ramp up production in the U.S. and went after Stellantis for temporary layoffs last week on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures.
While some advisers discussed tariffs as a permanent reality, others touted negotiations from countries to ease tariff rates.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins appeared on CNN’s State of the Union to tout the 50 countries reportedly seeking to make a deal with the White House.
“Listen, we’ve got 50 countries that are burning the phone lines into the White House up, and probably the president’s cellphone as well, and probably Howard Lutnick as well, and I’ve heard from some as well,” Rollins said on Sunday.
“This is the ultimate deal-maker who is a businessman at the head of our government, finally — that the American people said, all swing states, all the popular vote. Tariffs were a part of his plan. We’re going to put America first, and he will do everything in his power all day, every day, to do just that,” she added.
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While on NBC News’s Meet the Press, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also hinted that there could be negotiations but said it was the president’s decision.
“I think we’re going to have to see what the countries offer and whether it’s believable,” Bessent said.
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