U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he is open to reducing tariffs if other countries offer “something phenomenal” in return — a shift that suggests the White House may be exploring diplomatic exits from the trade conflict it escalated earlier this year.
Speaking before boarding Air Force One, Trump defended his sweeping tariff program despite recent volatility in the financial markets, as reported by Digi24.
“Tariffs give us tremendous negotiating power,” he told reporters. “Every country has been calling us.”
When asked if he might scale back the new duties, Trump replied, “It depends. If someone says they’ll offer something phenomenal — as long as it’s something good — then sure.”
TikTok, Trade Talks, and Tel Aviv
Trump singled out China as one possible beneficiary of tariff relief — but only if it approves the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations by parent company ByteDance. The Chinese-owned app faces a looming deadline this weekend unless Trump grants an extension, which he hinted could be part of a broader deal. “We’re very close to an agreement,” he said.
The president also noted he spent the day in discussions with foreign governments and industry leaders lobbying for tariff exemptions.
He confirmed a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who may visit Washington next week.
Despite Israel’s move earlier this week to eliminate tariffs on American goods in hopes of earning a reprieve, the White House confirmed that Israeli exports would still face a 17% tariff.
Market Jitters and Political Strategy
Trump’s remarks came as markets continue to struggle under the weight of trade uncertainty. Still, the president brushed off concerns, pointing to falling interest rates and signaling confidence that economic turbulence will subside.
Analysts see Trump’s comments as a calculated move to open the door to high-stakes negotiations without signaling weakness.
The administration has used tariff threats to extract concessions from global trading partners before — and could do so again in areas ranging from tech regulation to automotive manufacturing.
As Trump put it, “Tariffs work. The question is: what will others give us in return?”
