President Donald Trump has said countries are “kissing my ass” trying to make a deal with the United States after he imposed sweeping tariffs on trading partners across the world.
Speaking at a National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) dinner on Tuesday night, Trump said countries are “dying to make a deal” with the U.S., while he also hit out at Republicans speaking out against his tariff plans.
“I’ll see some rebel Republican, some guy that wants to grandstand, say: ‘I think that Congress should take over negotiations,'” Trump said. “Let me tell you: You don’t negotiate like I negotiate.”
Why It Matters
Trump’s speech came against an economic backdrop of sharp market losses and fears of a recession in the wake of his tariffs.
China has been hit the hardest with a 104 percent tariff across all imports starting on Wednesday. It comes after China vowed to “fight to the end” in the trade war.
What To Know
On Tuesday evening, Trump defended his “reciprocal” tariffs that he announced on April 2, saying the U.S. will do “much better” economically as a result.
Trump added that several countries are wanting to negotiate a deal with the U.S. to avoid paying the so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs. Japan, South Korea and Italy are said to be among the affected countries that are now attempting to reach a new trade agreement with the U.S.
Trump also hit out at a Republican who has spoken out against his tariff plans, arguing that Congress “should take over negotiations.”
While not mentioning the lawmaker by name, Trump appeared to be referencing Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, who has been one of the most vocal GOP critics of the president’s tariffs.
Paul has argued that Congress should assert its constitutional power to regulate tariffs.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley has also introduced a bill that would require Congress to approve any new tariffs, which has the support of several Republicans including former GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell.
During his NRCC speech, Trump said he did not need “some guy telling me how to negotiate.”
What People Are Saying
President Trump said during his NRCC speech on Tuesday: “This is the largest transaction in the history of our country. These countries are calling us up, kissing my ass. They are dying to make a deal. ‘Please, please, sir, make a deal. I’ll do anything. I’ll do anything, sir.’
“And then I’ll see some rebel Republican, you know, some guy that wants to grandstand, say, I think the Congress should take over negotiations. Let me tell you, you don’t negotiate like I negotiate.”
Senator Rand Paul told CNBC on Tuesday: “How did we all get here? The whole debate is so fundamentally backwards and upside down, it’s based on a fallacy. And the fallacy is this; that somehow in a trade, someone must lose. Every trade that occurs in the marketplace is mutually beneficial. If you want to sell me your coat, and I give you $200 for it, we both agree to it, and we’re both happy with the trade.
“No American consumer trades with China. They trade with Walmart, or they may buy something from China, but they individually buy something they want, and they make a decision. The trade is always a win, win. You could artificially do this accounting between countries and say, ‘Oh, look at this trade deficit.’ But I have a trade deficit with my grocery store, or the people who employ me. If I work for Corvette, they employ me, they have a trade deficit with my labor. They buy my labor and I never buy their cars.”
Senator Chuck Grassley posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday: “Congress delegated too much of its authority to the President in Trade Expansion Act of 62/Trade Act of 74. That said, I support President Trump’s agenda to lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers other countries impose on American goods.”
What Happens Next
Trump announced during his NRCC speech that he will soon impose tariffs on pharmaceuticals coming from foreign countries, which he said will incentivize drug companies to move to the U.S.
