Trump: "There may be exceptions, but 10% reciprocal tariff is the minimum"

On the 11th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump stated regarding the negotiation of deferring reciprocal tariffs for 90 days with countries other than China, "The basic rate of reciprocal tariffs, 10%, is the minimum level for country-specific reciprocal tariffs."

According to a Reuters report, President Trump, speaking to the press aboard a flight to Florida, said, "There may be some exceptions for obvious reasons, but I want to say that 10% or something very close to it is the floor."

He mentioned that he is in talks with many countries about tariff negotiations, saying, "We are in a very good position," according to the White House press pool.

Previously, President Trump announced plans to impose reciprocal tariffs of over 10% on the 4th. As a result, a basic tariff of 10% has been in effect since the 5th, and tariffs exceeding 10% have been imposed on so-called 'worst violators' since the 9th, but this was deferred for 90 days for countries other than China immediately after implementation.

Since then, the U.S. has been conducting so-called tailored negotiations with these countries.

Scott Besant, the Secretary of the Treasury, who is in charge of these negotiations, mentioned on the 9th that the country-specific reciprocal tariff rate announced on the 2nd is the 'ceiling' and the basic tariff rate of 10% is the 'floor.'

Regarding China, which is responding with retaliatory tariffs, President Trump mentioned that he always gets along well with President Xi Jinping, saying, "I think a positive outcome will come out."

Regarding U.S. Treasury bonds, President Trump said, "There was a moment (of issue) briefly, but I resolved it quickly," mentioning that "the bond market is doing well."

He also indicated, according to the White House press pool, that the decision to defer country-specific reciprocal tariffs for 90 days for countries other than China was not related to the bond market issue.

Additionally, he stated regarding the U.S. dollar, "If people understand what we are doing, the value of the dollar will rise."

Regarding the meeting between the U.S. and Iran in Oman on the 12th, President Trump said, "I want Iran to be a great and happy country," but added, "But they cannot have nuclear weapons."

Regarding the annual health checkup conducted that day, President Trump said, "Overall, I felt I was in very good condition," adding, "I also took a cognitive test and got all the answers right."

Reporter Min-Kyung Shin, Hankyung.com radio@hankyung.com