President Donald Trump has signaled a surprising shift in tone—inviting countries to negotiate over his sweeping new tariffs—but don’t call it a retreat. Despite global panic and a $5 trillion market wipeout, the administration insists there will be no pause in enforcement and no exemptions unless the deal is “phenomenal.”

“Countries from all over the world are talking to us,” Trump posted on Truth Social Monday. “Tough but fair parameters are being set.”

According to White House officials, over 50 countries have reached out to discuss trade relief. Talks with Japan are already underway, and others—ranging from the EU to Vietnam—are lining up with proposals.

But while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and economic adviser Kevin Hassett confirmed the door is open, they also reinforced: the tariffs are here to stay.

“It’s not the kind of thing you can negotiate away in days or weeks,” Bessent told NBC.
Hassett added: “The president is going to decide what the president is going to decide.”

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shut down speculation of a 90-day pause, calling it “fake news.”

Here’s Where Talks Stand So Far:

🔹 🇯🇵 Japan:
Trump has greenlit negotiations with Tokyo. PM Shigeru Ishiba is sending a delegation with a proposal including energy, agriculture, cars, and security cooperation to offset the 24% U.S. tariff.

🔹 🇪🇺 EU:
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has pitched a “zero-for-zero” deal on industrial goods. France and Italy are reportedly pushing for restraint, especially on wine and spirits.

🔹 🇮🇱 Israel:
PM Netanyahu landed in Washington Monday hoping to secure relief from a 17% U.S. tariff, after Israel canceled its own duties on American goods preemptively.

🔹 🇻🇳 Vietnam:
Offered to drop all tariffs on U.S. goods if Trump freezes his 46% tariff on Vietnamese exports for 45 days. The White House has yet to respond.

🔹 🇬🇧 U.K.:
Already in low-key talks. Officials believe a deal to remove the 10% blanket tariff could be reached “within weeks,” possibly with new tax incentives for U.S. firms.

🔹 🇮🇳 India:
No retaliation planned—for now. Delhi is focused on “dialogue, not confrontation.”

🔹 🇰🇭 Cambodia:
Offered to reduce tariffs on U.S. goods from 35% to 5% if the U.S. lowers Trump’s 49% tariff on Cambodian goods.

🔹 🇧🇩 Bangladesh:
Requested a 3-month pause on its 37% tariffs, promising to boost imports of U.S. energy and goods.

🔹 🇹🇼 Taiwan:
Seeking a “zero tariffs” agreement with the U.S., while vowing not to retaliate. President Lai met with tech firms Monday to manage impact of the 32% levy.

🔹 🇮🇩 Indonesia:
Wants talks, not escalation, on the 32% tariff it faces. A government delegation is preparing to visit D.C.

Lutnick: “No Pause, No Exemptions—We’re Protecting America”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in a firestorm of interviews over the weekend, doubled down:

“There is no postponing. [Tariffs] are definitely going to stay in place for days and weeks,” he told CBS. “This is not a negotiation—this is a national emergency.”

Pressed by Face the Nation’s Margaret Brennan, Lutnick confirmed Trump’s tariffs on all countries, including tiny islands, are intentional, claiming otherwise foreign firms might exploit those regions to bypass duties.

“It’s the end of these ridiculous loopholes,” Lutnick said. “We need the greatness of America to be built in America.”

Tariffs are Trump’s leverage, and he’s using it—no mercy, no blink. Negotiations are coming—but on Trump’s terms. For now, markets remain on edge, global partners are scrambling, and the great global reset of trade has officially begun.

Trump’s message to the world?
Negotiate, if you must—but don’t expect it to be easy.

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