John Kennedy describes how many countries ‘are begging’ Trump to make deal on tariffs

Republican Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy said Tuesday evening on “Hannity” that he “hopes” President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent take a deal with all of the countries hit with reciprocal tariffs.

Trump announced a list of an estimated 60 countries the U.S. would impose reciprocal tariffs against on April 2, prompting division among lawmakers both within and outside the party. While speaking with host Sean Hannity about how Senate lawmakers could work together to get federal waste spending “under control,” Kennedy pivoted to address tariffs.

“I want to say a word, though, about tariffs because that’s sort of the fourth leg of this stool,” Kennedy said. “I think most fair-minded people would agree with this.”

“Other countries have used trade barriers to take advantage of the American people and American businesses. Number two, President Trump has said ‘Enough,’” Kennedy added. “We would not be in this situation today had he not been a Pitbull. By that, I mean there are 195 countries in the world, and 70 are begging him to make a deal to lower tariffs.”

Following his announcement of a baseline 10% tariff against the list of countries, the president said that certain countries, like China, would be hit with higher tariffs based on their own tariffs against the U.S. One day later, Republican Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley and Democrat Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell introduced a bipartisan bill to restrict Trump’s ability to impose tariffs without congressional approval.

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“He’s like the Pitbull, though, who caught the car,” Kennedy said. “I don’t know what the president’s going to do next … I hope he takes a deal. I hope he and Scott Bessent go to every one of those countries and reduce those tariffs and trade barriers down to zero and let American businesses compete with those foreign businesses. Competition makes us better.”

Despite pushback from some lawmakers, Trump has stood firm. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that, due to China declining to lift its retaliatory tariff against the U.S., an additional 50% tariff will be added on top of the previously imposed 20% and 34% tariffs against the country.

In an interview Sunday with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said that 50 countries already “have come to the table” as they are “willing and desperate” to negotiate with the Trump administration.

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