Trump: "Will Maintain Flexibility Until Tariffs Begin on April 2"

# Trump Signals Possible Tariff Flexibility Amid Criticism # Pledges Response to EU's Retaliatory Tariffs: "We Will Win" Washington (Yonhap) – U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that flexibility might be exercised regarding tariffs until the reciprocal tariffs are announced on April 2. During a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at the White House on the 12th, Trump countered criticisms of inconsistency in the administration's tariff policy by stating that it is not inconsistency but flexibility. He referred to his decision to delay tariffs on the automotive sectors for Mexico and Canada by one month as an example of this flexibility in response to the U.S. automobile industry's request. When asked if this flexibility would continue, Trump replied, "I will always maintain flexibility. But once we start, there will be very little flexibility." "April 2 will be a very important day for the United States. We will reclaim much of what other countries have stolen from us, allowed by past incompetent leaders," Trump stated. This suggests that Trump may be willing to exercise tariff flexibility until the April 2 deadline, as previously disclosed. Bloomberg News assessed that Trump hinted at potentially deferring tariffs for some countries. Addressing recent stock market volatility due to tariff policy uncertainties, Trump asserted that the U.S. economy would strengthen and predicted that "the stock market will surge once people see what happens." Trump also described the recent slowdown in consumer price inflation as "very good news." In response to a question about countering the EU's retaliatory tariffs, Trump confirmed, "Of course, I will respond," adding, "We will win this financial battle." The EU announced it would impose tariffs on a total of €26 billion (approx. $41 billion) worth of American products in two stages beginning next month, retaliating against the U.S. imposition of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum. When asked if he was considering tariffs on European cars, Trump answered, "Absolutely." Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Ireland's trade surplus with the U.S. while standing beside Prime Minister Martin. "Because Ireland has been very smart, we have a massive deficit with Ireland. They took our pharmaceutical companies away from previous U.S. presidents who didn't know what they were doing," Trump remarked. He added that if he had been president when U.S. pharmaceutical companies relocated to Ireland, he would have imposed a 200% tariff on U.S. companies exporting goods from Ireland to America. Prime Minister Martin responded by explaining that Ireland has also been investing more in the U.S. than before. Ireland attracts multinational companies by imposing lower corporate taxes than the U.S., which has led major American companies, including pharmaceutical firms, to set up operations there. When asked if he plans to lower corporate taxes to Ireland's level, Trump replied, "We plan to cut taxes if the Democrats behave." bluekey@yna.co.kr