• White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett confirms tariffs won't derail active trade talks.
  • U.S. maintains aggressive negotiation stance with India, Vietnam while isolating China.
  • Temporary tariff suspensions on electronics aim to prevent supply chain disruptions during negotiations.

Tariffs as Leverage, Not Obstacle

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett emphasized today that a recent tariff determination won't interfere with the Trump administration's push to secure new trade agreements. This comes as negotiators work against an ambitious 90-day timeline to finalize deals, though progress has been slower than expected with only a handful nearing completion.

"The ruling changes nothing about our approach," a senior administration official familiar with the matter told us. "We're using tariffs strategically to get better terms, not as roadblocks."

Focused Bilateral Strategy

While maintaining a baseline 10% tariff on most imports, the U.S. has delayed implementing country-specific reciprocal tariffs until July 2025 to allow breathing room for negotiations. China remains the exception, facing duties as high as 125% on certain goods. Teams are currently engaged in intensive talks with over 75 countries, about 15 of which have submitted formal proposals.

India and Vietnam have emerged as priority targets, with negotiators working to prevent the imposition of steeper tariffs. "We're seeing movement," Hassett noted, suggesting possible relief for nations offering favorable terms. Market watchers interpret this as signaling flexibility beneath the administration's tough public posture.

Temporary Reprieves and Future Risks

The administration has temporarily excluded some electronics from reciprocal tariffs, a move analysts see as preventing immediate supply chain disruptions. However, new Section 232 investigations into semiconductors and related components could reintroduce risks for tech importers in coming months.

Business groups remain cautiously optimistic but concerned about prolonged uncertainty. "Every delay in clarity costs us," said one manufacturing executive who requested anonymity due to ongoing negotiations. "We need to know where to invest."

[Updated 4:15 PM ET: Clarifies timeline for reciprocal tariff implementation]