Inside Trumps decision to pause most tariffs and turn up heat on China to lock in better trade deals for US
WASHINGTON — The idea of scaling back eye-watering “reciprocal” tariffs rattled around President Trump’s head for several days after the April 2 announcement — even as he told staff and reporters he was willing to go full-speed-ahead.Trump dramatically ordered a 90-day pause in imposing the higher rates on most countries Wednesday — hours after they took effect — claiming dozens of nations had pleaded for a reprieve to give them a chance to buy more US goods and eliminate trade barriers.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, one of Trump’s closest advisers, had nudged the president Sunday to use the 12:01 a.m.Wednesday deadline to “lock these people in” to more advantageous trade relations, an administration official told The Post.Bessent suggested that a golden opportunity lay before Trump to permanently reform and improve conditions for US companies that manufacture and export goods overseas.A second source close to the administration described Bessent as advocating a “more measured approach” while “taking aim at China” — advice the president appeared to follow Wednesday by jacking the reciprocal tariff against Beijing up to 125% from an initial 34%.Trump left in effect a 10% baseline tariff on most imports — as well as previously announced 25% levies on foreign-made cars, steel and aluminum.Prior to Wednesday, the White House had messaged publicly that Trump would not change course — knocking down floated suggestions of a 90-day pause as “fake news” earlier this week — projecting a resolve that administration officials now say helped build maximum leverage with trading partners.As late as 24 hours before the Wednesday afternoon announcement, sources told The Post, Trump had told members of his own staff that the reciprocal rates — including 17% on Israel, 20% on the European Union, 24% on Japan, 25% on South Korea, 26% on India, and 46% on Vietnam — would not be paused.As a result, many of Trump’s own aides and top admi...