Trump says he will pause tariffs for 90 days, but not for China

Npr - Apr 9th, 2025
Open on Npr

President Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries, while immediately increasing tariffs on China to 125%. This decision, revealed through social media, aims to bring down tariffs to a universal 10% level during the pause, excluding China. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted China's role as a major source of trade issues, justifying the heightened tariffs. Bessent emphasized that the move was a strategic decision by Trump, not influenced by the recent stock market decline, to facilitate bespoke trade agreements and involve Trump personally.

The tariff pause allows time for complex negotiations on various trade issues, including LNG deals, non-tariff barriers, currency policies, and subsidies, with countries like Vietnam. Bessent remarked that these trade imbalances have developed over decades and require careful negotiation. The decision reflects Trump's broader strategy to address trade imbalances, as discussed in a meeting with Bessent. The development signifies a pivotal moment in US trade policy, aiming to recalibrate international trade relations and address long-standing economic disputes.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The news story provides a detailed account of President Trump's tariff policy changes, focusing on the administration's rationale and strategic approach. It is timely and relevant, addressing significant issues in international trade that have immediate and long-term implications. The story is well-structured and clear, making it accessible to readers. However, it primarily presents the perspective of the Trump administration, lacking input from external sources or diverse viewpoints. This limits the story's balance and depth, as it does not fully explore the broader implications or potential criticisms of the policy. While the story's accuracy is high, additional verification of specific claims and a more comprehensive exploration of the topic would enhance its overall quality. Despite these limitations, the story effectively captures a key policy development with the potential to influence public opinion and international relations.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story's accuracy is relatively high, as it provides specific details about President Trump's tariff policies, including the 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries and the increase to 125% for China. It accurately attributes statements to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, providing a clear account of the administration's stance. However, the story would benefit from additional verification of the exact terms of the tariff negotiations, the rationale behind the specific percentage increase for China, and the precise impact on international trade relations. The claim that the tariff pause is not related to the stock market's decline, as stated by Bessent, also warrants further scrutiny to confirm its validity.

6
Balance

The story primarily presents the perspective of the Trump administration, focusing on statements from President Trump and his officials. While it does provide a comprehensive view of their rationale and strategic approach, it lacks input from external sources or perspectives, such as economists, trade experts, or representatives from affected countries. This imbalance limits the reader's understanding of the broader implications and potential criticisms of the policy. Including voices from other stakeholders would enhance the story's balance and provide a more nuanced view of the situation.

8
Clarity

The story is well-structured and uses clear language to convey the key points about the tariff policy changes. It logically presents the information, starting with the announcement and followed by supporting statements from officials. The tone is neutral and factual, which aids comprehension. However, the inclusion of more background information about the context of the tariff changes and their potential consequences would enhance clarity for readers unfamiliar with trade policies.

7
Source quality

The story relies on high-level sources within the Trump administration, including direct quotes from the President, the White House press secretary, and the Treasury Secretary. These sources are authoritative and provide insight into the administration's official stance. However, the story would benefit from corroborating information from independent experts or analysts to provide a more comprehensive view of the policy's implications and effectiveness. The reliance on a single perspective may limit the story's overall credibility.

6
Transparency

The story clearly attributes statements to specific officials, which enhances transparency regarding the sources of information. However, it lacks detailed context about the methodology behind the tariff decisions and the potential impacts on global trade. The story does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that may influence the reporting. Greater transparency about the decision-making process and the factors influencing the policy would improve the reader's understanding of the story's basis.

Sources

  1. https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/trump-tariffs-live-updates-us-stronger-despite-market/?id=120551033
  2. https://20fix.com
  3. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-announces-90-day-tariffs-pause/
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xyLAlDY95I