International-News

Trump rejects accusations of ‘always backtracking’: ‘I have imposed record tariffs’

The president reacts harshly to the acronym ‘Taco’ used by a Financial Times columnist. Meanwhile, trade negotiations with the EU, China and the United Kingdom intensify

“I back down? I imposed 50% tariffs on the European Union and they immediately called me to negotiate.’ With these words, spoken in the Oval Office, US President Donald Trump responded sharply to a journalist who asked him about the acronym ‘Taco’ – ‘Trump Always Chickens Out’ – coined by a Financial Times columnist to describe the White House’s wavering stance on tariffs.

‘That’s an unpleasant question. Don’t ever repeat it again,’ Trump added in an annoyed tone, rejecting the accusation of inconsistency on trade policy. The president claimed concrete results, citing the reduction of Chinese tariffs “from 140% to 100%” and the 14 trillion in planned investments, in contrast to the “dead situation” left behind, according to him, by the previous Biden administration.

In early April, Trump introduced new tariffs against several countries, but then temporarily suspended their application to facilitate negotiations. This led to a busy schedule of meetings, which has already produced an agreement with the United Kingdom and signs of détente with Beijing. The situation with the European Union is more uncertain: the 50% tariffs are currently suspended until 9 July.

On the domestic front, however, the White House faces legal opposition: the International Trade Court, based in Manhattan, has overturned the initial measure imposing tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, opening up a new front of contention between the executive branch and commercial justice.

THE LATEST NEWS