President Donald Trump’s bold tariff campaign, part of his sweeping “Liberation Day” economic offensive, has triggered a worldwide rush to the negotiating table. According to National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, an astonishing 130 countries have now opened trade discussions with the United States—up from just 50 a week ago.
The dramatic surge comes after the Trump administration unleashed a series of tariffs designed to push global partners toward more balanced, reciprocal trade agreements. Under the new framework, countries that agree to fair terms are eligible for a significantly reduced 10% tariff rate, while others face steep penalties for continuing unfair trade practices or depending too heavily on U.S. markets without contributing equitably.
“The response has been overwhelming,” Hassett said. “President Trump’s strategy is working. Nations across the globe are lining up to make deals, and for good reason—if they don’t, they face tariffs that put America first.”
Key negotiations are already making rapid progress with countries like Japan, South Korea, and India. Some deals are nearing finalization, while early-stage talks with China remain ongoing. Trump’s advisers say the strategy is about more than economics—it’s about securing America’s supply chains, defending national interests, and ensuring that no foreign government can use trade as leverage against the United States ever again.
The effort is being tightly coordinated by Trump’s top economic team, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Together, they’ve built a streamlined operation to implement Trump’s directives across all departments and deliver results fast.
Hassett emphasized that the administration’s approach is unapologetically pro-American: “This isn’t about returning to the old trade deals that gave away our industries. It’s about creating new agreements that protect American workers, rebuild our manufacturing base, and make us stronger on the world stage.”
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett: “Right now, 130 countries — 130 countries — have responded and we’re negotiating with them.” pic.twitter.com/kR2p6OLG2e
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 13, 2025
The success of the tariff strategy is already being felt at home. American manufacturers are seeing increased demand, domestic supply chains are being reactivated, and the stock market has responded favorably to signs of new, stable trade relationships taking shape. Trump’s team says the goal is to reach deals that are not just good on paper, but enforceable, transparent, and fair.
The fact that more than two-thirds of the world’s nations are now actively engaging with the United States under these terms is a testament to the leverage Trump has reasserted. Where previous administrations sought compromise through weakness, Trump is bringing countries to the table through strength.
As Liberation Day tariffs continue to reshape the global economic landscape, the message is clear: America sets the terms now—and the world is listening.