50 countries want to talk to the US after imposing commercial rates, says the American trade representative
Tables with US mutual customs tariffs, exhibited in the press hall of the White House in Washington, DC, following the announcement of US President Donald J. Trump, April 2, 2025. Photo: Chris Kleponis – CNP / DPA / Profimedia
The US trade representative, Jamson Greer, will tell the Senate Finance Commission on Tuesday that nearly 50 countries have got in touch with him to discuss the new extended commercial rates imposed by President Donald Trump, notes Reuters.
“Several of these countries, such as Argentina, Vietnam and Israel, have suggested that they are willing to reduce non-tariff rates and barriers,” Greer said in a statement.
“These steps are obviously welcome. Our commercial deficit, big and constant, has accumulated within 30 years and will not be resolved overnight, but all these developments go in the right direction,” the US trade representative continued.
The US president intensified the US trade war with the rest of the world last week, imposing a minimum rate of 10% for all imports, and in the EU, 20%.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced on Monday that the EU has offered the US “zero to zero” for industrial goods, although it is ready to respond with countermeasures to President Trump.
Von Der Leyen has reiterated that the EU is “ready to negotiate with the US” to reach an agreement on tariffs, but at the same time prepares measures to defend its interests, including those against diverting trade flows.
On Monday, Trump threatened to impose an additional fee to China 50%, starting on Tuesday, April 8, if Beijing does not give up the 34% response tax applied to the US imported goods.
