ATLANTA (AP) — Officials from the Trump administration were prominent across television networks on Sunday, defending President Donald Trump’s economic policies following another week of turbulent markets that led the Republican administration to backtrack on some of its heaviest tariffs.
Meanwhile, Trump stated on his social media platform that there would ultimately be no exemptions to his extensive tariff policies, countering claims that he had provided tariff exceptions for certain electronics, including smartphones, primarily produced in China. Trump clarified, “those products are subject to the existing 20% Fentanyl Tariffs, and they are simply being shifted to a different Tariff ‘bucket.’”
White House advisers and Cabinet members aimed to convey confidence and tranquility amid Trump’s inconsistent approach to tariffs on imported goods globally. However, their explanations of the overarching agenda, along with Trump’s recent statements, illustrated evolving narratives from a president who, in the run-up to the 2024 election, pledged an immediate economic uplift and reduced prices, yet now requests patience from American businesses and consumers.
Just a week ago, Trump’s team reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the forthcoming tariffs without exceptions. They utilized their appearances on various news shows to defend his shift to a 10% universal tariff for most nations, excluding China (145%), while seemingly allowing exemptions for specific electronics such as smartphones, laptops, hard drives, flat-panel monitors, and semiconductor chips.
Here are key points from what Trump’s aides said last week compared to Sunday:
Different interpretations regarding the tariffs’ purpose
Long before commencing his initial presidential campaign in 2015, Trump expressed concern over the offshoring of U.S. manufacturing. His vow is to reindustrialize America and eradicate trade deficits with other countries.
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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” emphasized national security. “You need to understand this is a national security matter,” he stated, citing worst-case scenarios that could arise if the U.S. were to engage in a conflict.
“We no longer manufacture medicine in this country. We no longer build ships. We do not have sufficient steel and aluminum to conduct a battle, right?” he remarked.
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Lutnick maintained that national security perspective, but White House trade advisor Peter Navarro emphasized the import taxes as leverage in the broader economic framework.
“The world has cheated us. They’ve been deceiving us for decades,” Navarro stated on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” pointing out issues like dumping products at unreasonably low prices, currency manipulation, and barriers preventing U.S. auto and agricultural products from entering foreign markets.
Navarro asserted that the tariffs would lead to larger bilateral trade agreements to tackle all these concerns. He also introduced a different rationale when discussing China: the illegal drug trade.
“China has caused the deaths of over a million individuals with their fentanyl,” he added.
Before Trump’s Truth Social post contradicted the idea of exemptions, Lutnick hinted at that upcoming policy, stating, “They will have a special focus-type of tariff to ensure those products are reshored,” he told ABC’s “This Week.”
The condition of negotiations with other nations, including China, remains unclear
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With higher rates set to begin collection on April 9, administration representatives contended that other nations would hasten to negotiate.
“I’ve heard that there are ongoing negotiations and that several offers are on the table,” Kevin Hassett, director of the White House Economic Council, communicated to ABC. He claimed that “more than 50 countries (were) expressing interest,” though he did not specify any.
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Navarro identified the United Kingdom, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Israel as nations presently engaged in negotiations with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Lutnick, and other officials.
Greer mentioned on CBS that his objective is “to secure significant agreements within 90 days”—the duration of Trump’s pause—“and I believe we will reach agreements with multiple countries in the coming weeks.”
However, discussions with China have not yet begun, he stated. “We anticipate engaging with them,” emphasizing that it would be a direct conversation between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump, in his aggressive tone on Sunday, asserted, “we will not be held hostage by other nations, particularly hostile trading countries like China, which will do everything possible to show disrespect towards the American People.”
Navarro was less definitive regarding Beijing. “We have extended our invitation to them,” he remarked. Lutnick described the outreach as “soft approaches … via intermediaries.”
When pressed for any substantial back-and-forth, Navarro said, “The president shares a very good rapport with President Xi.”
He then criticized several Chinese policies and trade practices.
Different messages, yet unwavering confidence
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Navarro remained optimistic, even as U.S. and global markets faced trillions in losses.
“The primary rule, especially for smaller investors, is you can’t incur losses unless you sell. Right now, the wise strategy is to remain calm,” he commented on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.”
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Navarro’s positive outlook did not falter despite yet another week of losses in the securities markets and volatile bond markets. “This is unfolding precisely as we envisioned in a dominant scenario,” he articulated.
Others faced the complicated realities of attempting to fulfill Trump’s vision of reinstating a bygone era of U.S. manufacturing.
Lutnick indicated a focus on bringing back high-tech jobs, while deflecting inquiries about lower-skilled manufacturing jobs—such as shoe production—that could result in higher prices linked to increased wages for U.S. workers. However, some of that high-tech manufacturing is currently exempt from tariffs that Trump and his aides portray as leverage to compel companies to establish U.S. facilities.
Hassett did acknowledge widespread concern.
“Survey data has indicated that there is some anxiety among people regarding these changes,” he said, before pivoting to employment statistics. “The hard data,” he claimed, “has been remarkably strong.”
