Trump presses advisers for tariff escalation ahead of April 2

WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump is urging his senior advisers to take a more aggressive stance on tariffs, as the administration prepares for a major escalation in its global trade war, the Washington Post reported on March 29, citing four people familiar with the matter.

Despite calls from allies on Wall Street and Capitol Hill to adopt a more measured approach, Mr Trump has been pushing for sweeping trade actions aimed at reshaping the US economy, the report said.

Mr Trump has continued to tell his advisers that he wants to keep increasing trade measures. In recent days, he has brought back the idea of a universal tariff that will apply to most imports, no matter which country they come from, according to the report.

Mr Trump has expressed regret over not implementing broader tariffs during his first term and has blamed advisers for persuading him to pull back, the Post said, adding it remains unclear how seriously the idea of a universal tariff is being considered.

The President has told advisers

that tariffs are a win for the US,

bringing back manufacturing jobs and adding trillions in government revenue, according to the Post.

Earlier on March 28, Mr Trump said that he was open to carving out deals with countries seeking to avoid US tariffs, but those agreements would have to be negotiated after his administration announces

reciprocal levies on April 2.

REUTERS