President Trump has laid out clear consequences for nations that fail to negotiate favorable trade agreements during the current 90-day tariff pause. While China faces immediate 125% tariffs after imposing retaliatory measures, other countries have been granted temporary relief – but with strings attached.
During a recent press conference, Trump explained that countries must reach mutually beneficial agreements within the three-month window or face a return to previous tariff levels. “If we can’t make the deal we need – one that’s good for both sides – then we go back to where we were,” Trump stated, referring to the original tariffs announced on America’s “Liberation Day.”
The temporary reprieve comes with a 10% reciprocal tariff taking effect immediately. When questioned about potential flexibility on this baseline rate, Trump emphasized that negotiations would vary by country, depending on existing trade imbalances. He singled out China’s “crazy trillion-dollar surplus” while noting other nations have more balanced trade relationships.
