The White House is unwavering in their agenda. But there’s major questions they have to answer.
That’s why the White House press secretary was confronted by a Fox News journalist in a tense exchange.
Fox News’ Peter Doocy Presses White House For Trade Deal Answers
President Donald Trump is steering the United States toward a new era of economic strength, with his administration working tirelessly to secure trade deals that prioritize American workers. Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy pressed Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday about the pace of disclosing details on Trump’s trade proposals, questioning what’s holding things up. The response from the administration was clear: there’s no delay, only relentless effort to reshape global trade in America’s favor.
Leavitt, speaking at a Tuesday briefing, revealed the scale of international interest in negotiating with Trump’s team. “We have received 18 proposals on paper” from foreign nations eager to hammer out tariff agreements, she said, adding that over 200 countries have reached out to strike deals. When Doocy asked, “You guys have at least 18 written trade proposals. We still don’t know who they are from or what they contain. What is the hold up with that?” Leavitt shut down the notion of any stalling. “There is no hold up. We’re working around the clock,” she stated, emphasizing that the trade team, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, is operating nonstop to finalize agreements.
The press secretary’s confidence stems from a clear strategy laid out by Trump himself. On April 9, the president announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for all countries except China via Truth Social, a move designed to open the door for robust negotiations. This pause has already borne fruit, with Trump and Bessent confirming on Thursday that talks with South Korea are progressing “faster” than anticipated. Such progress signals Trump’s ability to bring nations to the table, leveraging America’s economic might to secure favorable terms.
Leavitt’s assurance that the public will hear more about these deals soon—“I think you’ll be hearing more about them this week”—emphasizes the administration’s commitment to transparency on its own terms. “I don’t want to get ahead of the president in announcing potential deals,” she told Doocy, “but certainly, I can assure the American public that this administration is full speed ahead in cutting good and fair trade deal on behalf of the American worker.” This focus on American workers aligns with Trump’s longstanding promise to put the nation’s economic interests first, a promise that resonates with millions who see his leadership as a bulwark against globalist trade policies.
The situation with China, however, remains a sticking point. Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement sparked a trade war, with China retaliating by imposing tariffs as high as 245%, according to the White House on April 15. Despite this, Trump signaled on April 22 a willingness to “substantially” lower tariffs on China, though Chinese officials have denied engaging in talks. Leavitt, appearing on Fox News the following day, clarified that there will be “no unilateral reduction in tariffs” on China, meaning Beijing must come to the negotiating table. This hardline stance reflects Trump’s determination to hold China accountable while keeping the door open for diplomacy.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed this balanced approach, confirming on April 22 that a “de-escalation” in the trade war with China is possible. This blend of toughness and pragmatism defines Trump’s trade strategy: apply pressure to force concessions, then negotiate from a position of strength. The administration’s refusal to budge on unilateral tariff cuts sends a message to China and other nations that the U.S. will not be outmaneuvered.
The sheer volume of countries—over 200—reaching out to negotiate with Trump’s team speaks to his global influence. Unlike past administrations that often seemed to prioritize international alliances over domestic prosperity, Trump’s approach flips the script. His pause on tariffs, coupled with aggressive negotiations, has positioned the U.S. as a formidable player on the world stage, ready to dictate terms that benefit American industries and workers. The rapid progress with South Korea, in particular, suggests that Trump’s strategy is already paying dividends.
For supporters, this is yet another example of Trump’s ability to shake up the status quo, forcing the world to reckon with a reinvigorated America. With negotiations moving at breakneck speed, the stage is set for Trump to cement his legacy as a dealmaker who puts the United States first.
China Feels the Heat
President Donald Trump’s hard-nosed trade strategy is putting unprecedented pressure on China, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared Monday that it’s “up to China” to de-escalate soaring trade tensions. Speaking on CNBC, Bessent pointed out the stark imbalance in trade dynamics, noting that Chinese companies export five times more to the U.S. than American firms send to China. This lopsided reality, paired with Trump’s unrelenting tariff policies, has positioned the U.S. to dictate terms, signaling a return to America-first economic strength that prioritizes domestic workers and industries. Trump’s approach is a refreshing departure from years of weak trade deals that left the U.S. vulnerable, and it’s clear China is reeling from the consequences.
Bessent’s remarks come amid mixed signals about U.S.-China trade talks. Trump, ever the dealmaker, insisted last week that his administration has been in contact with China “every day,” though Chinese officials have downplayed any meaningful dialogue. This ambiguity hasn’t slowed Trump’s momentum, as Bessent hinted at a potential early trade deal with India, showcasing the administration’s ability to pivot and forge strategic alliances. Meanwhile, China’s economy faces a grim outlook, with analysts warning that sustained tariffs could slash Chinese exports to the U.S. by two-thirds this year. The ripple effects are massive, with Goldman Sachs estimating that 16 million Chinese jobs tied to U.S.-bound exports are at risk, particularly in sectors like communication equipment and apparel. Trump’s tariffs are proving to be a masterstroke, forcing China to confront the fragility of its export-driven model.
Chinese officials, desperate to save face, are projecting confidence despite the mounting economic strain. Zhao Chenxin, a top official at China’s National Development and Reform Commission, claimed Beijing remains on track to hit its 5% growth target this year, according to Xinhua News Agency. Yet, this optimism feels hollow when stacked against the hard data. S&P Global Ratings analyst Shanshan Yang warned that if tariffs persist, “it will cause a prolonged plunge in volume on China-U.S. routes,” disrupting port operations and forcing China to reroute goods through Southeast Asia. The pressure is clearly mounting, and China’s central bank may soon be forced to cut rates to prop up a weakening labor market—a move that would signal deeper cracks in their economy. Trump’s policies are exposing these vulnerabilities, delivering a wake-up call to a nation long accustomed to exploiting U.S. markets.
The goal is simple: leverage America’s economic might to restore fairness. While critics may cry foul, the reality is that China’s unsustainable trade practices have long tipped the scales. Bessent called the current tariff levels “unsustainable” for China, a point that resonates with millions of American workers who’ve watched jobs vanish overseas.
The Conservative Column will update you on any critical trade deals from the Trump administration.
