WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is urging senior advisers to take a more aggressive stance on tariffs as the administration prepares for a major escalation in its global trade war, the Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing four people familiar with the matter.

Despite calls from allies on Wall Street and Capitol Hill to adopt a more measured approach, Trump has been pushing for sweeping trade actions aimed at reshaping the US economy, the report said. Trump has continued to tell his advisers that he wants to keep increasing trade measures, and in recent days, he has brought back the idea of a universal tariff that would apply to most imports, no matter which country they come from, according to the report.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump has expressed regret over not implementing broader tariffs during his first term and has blamed advisers for persuading him to pull back, the Post said, adding it remains unclear how seriously the idea of a universal tariff is being considered. The president has told advisers that tariffs are a win for the United States, bringing back manufacturing jobs and adding trillions in government revenue, according to the Post.

Earlier on Friday, Trump said that he was open to carving out deals with countries seeking to avoid US tariffs but those agreements would have to be negotiated after his administration announces reciprocal levies on April 2.

Trump says he is willing to make deals on tariffs

Trump said on Friday that he was open to carving out deals with countries seeking to avoid US tariffs but those agreements would have to be negotiated after his administration announces reciprocal tariffs on April 2. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump also said that he would soon be announcing tariffs targeting the pharmaceutical industry, but declined to give any details on when or at what tariff rate. Trump told reporters countries including Britain had approached the United States to try to cut deals and avert the reciprocal tariffs.

“They want to make deals. It’s possible if we can get something for the deal,” he said. “But yeah, I’m certainly open to that. If we can do something where we get something for it.”

Asked if such deals could happen before April 2, Trump said, “No, probably later. It’s a process.”

Meanwhile, a group representing General Motors, Volkswagen and other major automakers warned new 25 percent tariffs President Donald Trump plans to impose next week on imported vehicles will hurt US consumers.

“Additional tariffs will increase costs on American consumers, lower the total number of vehicles sold inside the US and reduce US auto exports – all before any new manufacturing or jobs are created in this country,” said Alliance for Automotive Innovation John Bozzella in a statement.

The group represents every major automaker including Ford Motor, Hyundai, Stellantis, Honda, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Bozzella said the group supports Trump’s goal of more US auto production. “We are committed to building and investing in the US, but these facilities and supply chains are massive and complex and can’t be relocated or redirected overnight,” Bozzella added.

The White House did not immediately comment. Ford CEO Jim Farley told employees in an email Friday “the impacts of the tariffs are likely to be significant across our industry – affecting automakers, suppliers, dealers and customers.” Despite the fact that more than 80 percent of vehicles Ford sells in the United States are assembled in America “this does not mean Ford is immune to the impact of tariffs, which could be meaningful,” Farley added.

Other questions remain open including whether Trump will extend 25 percent tariffs imposed earlier this month on vehicles assembled in North America that are not exported under a free trade agreement and if next week he will impose reciprocal tariffs on the EU and others that further hike automotive tariffs. The White House said on Wednesday it expects the new tariffs on autos and auto parts to raise $100 billion in revenue over the next year.

Automakers may spread the tariff cost between US-produced and imported models, cut back on features, and in some cases, stop selling affordable models aimed at first-time car buyers, as many of those are imported and less attractive if they carry a higher price tag. — Reuters