In a recent press conference held in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump unveiled his administration's aggressive plans regarding international trade. The announcement signifies a new approach to negotiating trade agreements with various nations, where Trump indicated that tariffs will be imposed on countries that fail to reach satisfactory trade deals within "two, three" weeks.

Trump expressed his optimism about securing favorable agreements, stating that he believes the United States is on the verge of achieving "great deals" through its trade negotiations. He highlighted the administration's active engagement with 90 countries, emphasizing that discussions are ongoing and that concrete decisions regarding tariffs will soon follow.

"If we don't have a deal with a company or country, we're going to set the tariff," he declared, underlining his administration's firm stance on trade policy. The president suggested that these new tariffs could be implemented as soon as the upcoming weeks, implying a sense of urgency in the negotiations. "That will happen, I'd say, over the next couple of weeks, wouldn't you say? I think so, over the next two, three weeks. We'll be setting the number," Trump added, suggesting that the administration is working diligently to finalize these agreements.

This recent announcement follows an earlier decision made by Trump on April 2, which he referred to as "Liberation Day." On that day, he implemented a baseline 10% tariff on goods imported from all countries. However, certain regions would face even steeper tariffs; for example, the European Union is set to be subjected to a 20% tariff, while Vietnam would incur a staggering 46% tariff on its goods.

Yet, just a week later, on April 9, Trump announced a surprising 90-day hiatus on what he referred to as "reciprocal" tariffs. During this period, tariffs would be reduced to 10% for goods from most regions. In a post on Truth Social, Trump elaborated on his decision, revealing that more than 75 countries had reached out to negotiate solutions and had not retaliated against US tariffs, prompting this momentary pause.

However, notable exceptions exist in this approach, particularly concerning China. The ongoing trade tensions have led to an astronomical 145% tariff on Chinese goods, with China responding in kind, imposing a 125% tariff on products made in the United States. This retaliatory measure highlights the significant rift between the two economic powerhouses.

From the inception of his presidency, Trump has strategically used tariffs as a leverage point in trade negotiations. On April 3, he made it clear that he would consider reducing tariffs for countries willing to offer the US something "that's so phenomenal." This strategy demonstrates his administration's willingness to negotiate but also its readiness to impose punitive measures where necessary.

Despite the significant implications of these trade policies, representatives for Trump have not yet responded to requests for further comments regarding the administration's future plans or the ongoing negotiations.