How Bessent and Lutnick were able to outmaneuver Navarro in tariff battle – Washington Examiner
The article discusses a important growth in U.S. trade policy, especially regarding tariffs. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on higher tariffs that he had previously imposed on various countries, accept for China. This decision came after a week of market turmoil triggered by the initial announcement of increased tariffs. Notably, the pause was orchestrated without the involvement of Peter Navarro, a key adviser who has strongly advocated for such tariffs.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick where responsible for persuading Trump to implement the pause while Navarro was unwittingly away in another meeting. This unexpected delay in tariff increases has brought some relief to the markets, although uncertainties remain about the future of these trade policies. Trump also indicated that over 75 countries have expressed interest in negotiating trade agreements, while he stated there is “no rush” for finalizing deals with the UK and China, expecting progress in the next few weeks.
How Bessent and Lutnick were able to outmaneuver Navarro in tariff battle
President Donald Trump‘s 90-day pause on his higher, so-called reciprocal tariffs was reportedly set into motion via a meeting that did not include a key adviser who has pushed for the tariffs.
On April 2, Trump announced higher tariff rates on dozens of countries, causing markets to tank and economic uncertainty. A week later, on April 9, Trump suddenly announced that the higher tariff rates would be paused for 90 days for every country except China as trade negotiations progressed.
The pause came despite days of the president and his advisers insisting there would not be any pause on the tariffs, with White House trade adviser Peter Navarro the chief defender of the tariff regime.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick met with Trump, while Navarro was in a different meeting at the White House, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
The report claims Bessent and Lutnick met with Trump in the Oval Office while Navarro was away, convinced him of the 90-day pause, and remained with the president until he announced it on Truth Social.
Navarro, along with spokespersons for Bessent, Lutnick, and the White House, denied to the outlet that anyone was divided on the president’s tariff agenda.
The pause has cooled tempers in the markets, which had seen massive losses prior to the announced 90-day halt on tariffs. Despite the temporary reprieve from the higher tariff rates, the markets are still uncertain about the future of the levies.
TRUMP IN ‘NO RUSH’ ON UK AND CHINA TRADE BUT EXPECTS DEALS IN ‘THREE OR FOUR WEEKS’
The White House said more than 75 countries have reached out to negotiate trade deals amid the looming tariffs. On Friday, Trump said there is “no rush” on trade deals with the United Kingdom and China, but expects action in the coming weeks.
“I would think over the next three or four weeks — I think maybe the whole thing could be concluded,” Trump said in the Oval Office.
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