After days of tough talk and warnings of broad tariffs on dozens of nations, U.S President Donald Trump abruptly hit pause on the next phase of his trade offensive—leaving allies, markets, and even members of his administration scrambling to understand the shift.
The move, announced through Trump’s Truth Social account, marks a dramatic turnaround for a White House that had just ridiculed reports of a potential 90-day delay.
Now that delay is official, casting doubt on Trump’s commitment to reshaping the global trade landscape through hardline tariff policies.
“We’ve had more than 75 countries contact us,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed, insisting this had been the plan all along.
Despite the confident messaging, the reversal came in the wake of plummeting bond yields, nervous investors, and rising criticism from Republican lawmakers.
Many now wonder: Was this a planned negotiation tactic, or a retreat under pressure?
Mixed Messaging and Market Confusion
The days leading up to the announcement were marked by sharp public disapproval and visible unease on Wall Street. The administration initially denied any softening, with officials deriding reports of a pause—only to reverse course shortly after.
“You clearly failed to see what President Trump is doing here,” said press secretary Karoline Leavitt, painting the move as a strategic masterstroke.
However, the messaging remained murky. It took hours for the White House to clarify basic details—whether the EU, Mexico, and Canada were affected, and which sectors the reprieve covered.
Much of the world was left decoding Trump’s social media posts and ambiguous press comments for guidance.
Damage Control or Deliberate Art of the Deal?
For supporters like trade adviser Peter Navarro, the shift was all part of the game.
“This unfolded exactly the way it should,” Navarro insisted.
But critics, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, were quick to pounce.
“He is reeling, he is retreating, and that is a good thing,” Schumer said. “This is governing by chaos.”
Even Trump seemed to acknowledge the toll his rhetoric had taken.
“The markets looked pretty glum,” he admitted, adding that “people were getting a little queasy.”
That comment, combined with his online call for Americans to “BE COOL!” and stop acting like “panicans,” underscored a rare moment of economic introspection from the former president.
The Bigger Picture: All Eyes on China
While easing off global allies, Trump has ramped up pressure on China—imposing steep 125% tariffs in a move that aligns with Washington’s increasingly bipartisan push to counter Beijing’s economic rise.
Yet, his broader approach—alternating between provocation and pullback—has left analysts questioning the long-term strategy.
The tariff pause may have calmed immediate market fears, but the uncertainty Trump created could make future negotiations more difficult. Allies may now be more cautious, wary of erratic shifts in U.S. trade policy.
What Happens in 90 Days?
When the pause expires, the economic and diplomatic fallout could reignite. Whether Trump uses the time to seal better deals—or reload for another round of tariff escalation—remains to be seen.
For now, one thing is clear: Trump has not abandoned the trade war. He’s simply changed its pace.
