50 Countries Reach Out to White House for Trade Talks

Vietnam, Taiwan offer zero tariffs on US goods; Bessent allays recession fears

- AGENCIES

More than 50 countries have contacted the White House in a scramble to open trade talks after US President Donald Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs last week that have roiled global markets, sparked diplomatic outreach, and prompted fears of a looming recession.

Top officials in the Trump administration moved quickly over the weekend to defend the controversial decision, which introduces across-the-board tariffs of 10 per cent on all US imports and targeted duties of up to 50 per cent on goods from nearly 60 countries. The new measures, which came into effect Saturday, are the most aggressive import levies imposed by the US in over a century.

"We are repositioning the US in the global economy," said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on NBC's Meet the Press. Rejecting concerns that the tariffs would tip the economy into a downturn, Bessent insisted, "I see no reason why we have to price in a recession." He added that any negotiations with affected countries would take time and be based on "believable" offers.