(LEAD) U.S. in consultation with other countries on reciprocal tariffs: Trump aide
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By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (Yonhap) — The United States is in talks with other countries on “reciprocal” tariffs, a White House official was quoted as saying on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump is pushing for tariffs on U.S. imports to match what other trading partners impose on U.S. exports.
Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, made the remarks, Reuters reported, after Trump said Monday that he will announce reciprocal tariffs on Tuesday or Wednesday.
“That’s a work in progress. Everybody’s talking about it right now, and actually the conversations with other countries began this morning, really early,” Hassett was quoted by Reuters as telling reporters at the White House.
Trump has been seeking to impose reciprocal tariffs, saying that they will ensure that the United States is “treated evenly with other countries.” He stressed that if other countries charge America, “we charge them.”
This photo, released by AFP, shows National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett speaking outside the White House in Washington on Feb. 7, 2025. (Yonhap)
On Tuesday, Peter Navarro, senior counselor for trade and manufacturing at the White House, told CNN that “there are no reciprocal tariffs yet” — a remark that hints it could take some more time for the U.S. to roll out new tariffs.
“Let’s not jump the gun. What’s going to happen is we’re going to look at all of our trading partners, starting with the ones which we run the biggest deficits with, (and) find out if they’re cheating the American people,” Navarro told CNN.
“If they are, we are going to take measures to correct that wrong. That’s what the president has promised for many years now.”
Peter Navarro, trade adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington on Feb. 11, 2025 in this photo released by Reuters. (Yonhap)
House Speaker Mike Johnson said that he believes Trump is considering exemptions to reciprocal tariffs, including the automobile and pharmaceutical industries, Reuters said.
South Korean policymakers have been keenly watching Trump’s tariff announcements as they could affect South Korean companies seeking to build or strengthen their foothold in the U.S. market.
Trump has announced plans to reinstate a 25-percent tariff on steel imports and raise the tariff on aluminum imports to 25 percent from 10 percent — both set to take effect on March 12. He has also said that his administration is also looking into the possible imposition of tariffs on cars, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
Meanwhile, a White House official told AFP that 25-percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports will be added to duties announced for Canada and Mexico, meaning that duties on Canadian and Mexican steel and aluminum could reach 50 percent.
Trump agreed to pause 25 percent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods on Feb. 3, just hours before the tariffs had been set to go into effect, as the two countries pledged plans to prevent drug trafficking at their borders with the U.S.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
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