Tariffs reversal: Trump switches stance in a day's time
In a flurry of events, the unpredictable Donald Trump sent shockwaves through the global trading community during a week in April 2025. Known for his bombastic approach, Trump stirred up trade tensions with hefty tariffs on various nations, including China, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and even remote penguin islands.
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At 9:33 AM in Washington, Wednesday morning, a composed message from Trump himself pops up on Truth Social – his familiar tone, urging calm ethics: "Stay cool, he writes in all caps. His cryptic promise: "Everything will be fine". Reading these words, no one could have guessed that the American president would soon pull off one of his most jaw-dropping about-faces of his tenure. After an explosive week marked by the enforcement of new tariffs, the world braced for a global trade shock. Jokes circled on networks, even mocking the mathematically simple formula used by the White House to justify the trade war strategy.
The unpredictable trade tariff U-turn of Donald Trump
Morning stiffness, afternoon flexibility
For as he reassured his fellow citizens to keep their cool, the new tariffs were already in place for just a few hours. China faced increased tariffs ranging from 10% to over 100%, while Europe, Japan, and South Korea saw their products struck with a 20% tariff. A week ago, the announcement of this policy sent global financial markets trembling, raising fears of a planetary trade crisis. Tongues wagged over the absurdity of even penguin islands being targeted by tariffs. Others joked about the complex formula used by the White House to justify its strategy.
Tariff U-turn: Trump demonstrates flexibility
A tweet, a pivotal moment
European markets ended the session down. On Wall Street, opening was uncertain. Then, suddenly, at 1:18 PM, everything changed: a new message drops on Truth Social. This time, Trump announces a "pause" of 90 days for the US's trading partners. Tariffs are reduced to 10% for all, except for China, whose products are still more heavily taxed, up to 125%, due to a “lack of respect”.
Strategy or a change of heart?
The effect on markets was immediate: the Stock Market soared. Trump’s cabinet ministers and advisors sprang into action, spinning the narrative. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended a line of strategic intent: "It was his strategy from the beginning, and one might even say he pushed China into a mistake." Others praised his "audacity", his instincts as a negotiator, and his sense of a "deal". Behind the scenes, an image of nuance emerged. At an event honoring racing drivers, the billionaire confessed he had closely monitored the bond market, which was strained by recent tensions. He admitted that his trade offensive had "a bit scared" investors.
Inside the Wall Street mind game
A few hours later, seated in the Oval Office, Trump signed a series of decrees, one of which aimed to increase the flow rate of showers in the United States, an old presidential obsession. It's there, between two signatures, that Trump reluctantly revealed the backstory of his about-face: "It was probably decided early this morning", he confided. "It came from the heart", he added, explaining that he didn't want to "do harm" to countries that haven’t responded aggressively and are ready to negotiate. By his side, Howard Lutnick and Scott Bessent were prominently featured. Peter Navarro, the trade advisor known for his hardline stance, was noticeably absent.
Trump tweaks his own dogmas
Facing journalists, Trump justified his decision, contrasting with his past promises to stand firm and impose tariffs as "bitter medicine". But the result was clear: the President was celebrating the spectacular surge in markets. "You have to be flexible", he declared without hesitation. Key advisors at his side during these unprecedented negotiations were Peter Navarro, Trump’s Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing and primary architect of trade policy, advocating for aggressive tariffs and reshoring strategies. Jamie Greer, Trump’s Trade Representative nominee, was also instrumental in the tariff implementation and bilateral trade negotiations.
The negotiation dynamics behind Trump’s U-turn
A final message posted earlier in the day on Truth now rings with irony: "Now is the time to buy!" Those who heeded Trump's advice indeed made a wise move. In the span of 24 hours, Donald Trump would have simultaneously created, diffused, and capitalized on a crisis he himself manufactured. However, Democratic senators raised suspicions, suggesting that the American president may have manipulated the markets by encouraging the purchase of stocks just before his monumental tariff reversal. Stay tuned for more on this story.
Around this article * Donald Trump * tariffs * Trade war * commerce
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The query appears to contain a date discrepancy, as the provided search results focus on 2025 developments related to Trump’s trade policies, not 2021. Based on the latest information:
Key figures in Trump’s 2025 tariff strategy and reversals include:- Peter Navarro: Trump’s Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, advocating for aggressive tariffs and reshoring strategies[1][4].- Jamie Greer: Trump’s Trade Representative nominee, working with Navarro on tariff implementation and bilateral trade negotiations[1][3].- Howard Lutnick: Cabinet nominee collaborating with Navarro on trade policy[1].
The April 2025 tariff reversals (reducing tariffs to 10% for most countries except China) prompted scrutiny from Democratic senators, who cited Trump’s social media post urging followers to “BUY” stocks shortly before the policy shift[3]. No 2021-specific advisors or events are detailed in the provided materials.
If referring to 2021 policies, note that Trump left office in January 2021, and the search results do not cover his post-presidential advisory circle. During his first term (2017–2021), key trade advisors included Robert Lighthizer (USTR) and Wilbur Ross (Commerce Secretary), though these figures are not mentioned in the 2025-focused sources provided.
- The April 2025 tariffs imposed by Donald Trump on various countries, including China, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and even penguin islands, were reduced after just a few hours, contrasting with the initial丰포ーufears of a global trade crisis.
- European markets and Wall Street experienced uncertainty, but then soared when Trump announced a 90-day "pause" of the tariffs, with reductions to 10% for all nations except China, which faced higher tariffs due to a "lack of respect".
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Howard Lutnick were among the key advisors instrumental in Donald Trump's About-face on the tariffs, advocating for flexibility and nuanced negotiations.
- Prominent trade advisor Peter Navarro, known for his hardline stance, was involved in the tariff negotiations and reshoring strategies, but his role seemed somewhat subdued in the events leading up to the tariff cut.
