World scrambles to temper Trump tariffs: White House

Republican has remained defiant since unleashing blitz of tariffs on stunned countries around world Wednesday

By AFP
April 07, 2025
Capitol Hill building can be seen in this picture. — AFP/File
Capitol Hill building can be seen in this picture. — AFP/File

WASHINGTON: More than 50 countries have sought talks with President Donald Trump in a scramble to ease punishing tariffs on exports to the United States, the White House said Sunday, as trade partners braced for further fallout.

The Republican has remained defiant since unleashing the blitz of tariffs on stunned countries around the world Wednesday, insisting that his policies “will never change” even as markets went into a tailspin.

“More than 50 countries have reached out to the president to begin a negotiation,” Kevin Hassett, head of the White House National Economic Council, told ABC’s This Week on Sunday, citing the US Trade Representative.

Vietnam, a manufacturing powerhouse that counted the US as its biggest export market in the first quarter, has already reached out and requested a delay of at least 45 days.