Trump holds back on tariff extension: ‘90-day extension unlikely’

The US president flying to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis: tightening on duties against China and Europe, ‘now you have a different president’

Donald Trump rules out a new 90-day suspension on the implementation of reciprocal duties. During the flight to Rome, where he will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, the US president spoke to reporters on board Air Force One, calling a further extension ‘unlikely’.

Trump reiterated the hard line on China, saying that tariffs will not be removed unless Beijing offers ‘something substantial’ in return. ‘Opening China up to American products would be a big win,’ he said, ’and thanks to tariffs I could get it. He recalled how in the past a deal was almost reached before the Chinese withdrawal and lamented that despite any success, the press would not give him credit.

Claiming the effectiveness of the protectionist policy, Trump pointed out how for years the US had been penalised in international trade relations. ‘We couldn’t go to China or Europe or India to sell our products, while they could come here,’ he said. ‘I don’t blame the countries, I blame the presidents who allowed it. Now you have a different president.’

Meanwhile, on the European front, Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis confirmed that ‘there is still a lot of work ahead’ to avoid the introduction of the new US duties. After a week of meetings in Washington, Dombrovskis reiterated the need to define ‘concrete parameters’ to reach an understanding with the US.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)