Eric Trump, the son of President Trump, advised the many countries who will face reciprocal tariffs on goods imported to the U.S. to act quickly to negotiate with his father.
“I wouldn’t want to be the last country that tries to negotiate a trade deal with @realDonaldTrump,” the younger Trump, who serves as vice president of the Trump Organization, wrote Thursday morning on social platform X.
“The first to negotiate will win — the last will absolutely lose,” he continued. “I have seen this movie my entire life…”
The president has acknowledged that the sweeping tariffs could create short-term pain but argued that the announcement Wednesday to impose a 10 percent baseline tax on all goods coming into the U.S. would ultimately boost domestic manufacturing and create more jobs.
In the roll out of reciprocal tariffs, Trump also targeted certain nations with additional taxes, calling out those who have “ripped off” American taxpayers.
In a Thursday post on Truth Social, Trump seemingly compared the economy to a patient healing after an operation.
“THE OPERATION IS OVER! THE PATIENT LIVED, AND IS HEALING,” he wrote. “THE PROGNOSIS IS THAT THE PATIENT WILL BE FAR STRONGER, BIGGER, BETTER, AND MORE RESILIENT THAN EVER BEFORE. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
Despite his economic confidence, the market plunged in the hours after the reciprocal tariffs were announced. Many of the nations hit hardest by the tariffs have responded to the news — some vowing to retaliate while others have suggested they would reach out to the White House.
The president, who signaled earlier this month that countries could find reprieve if they are willing to negotiate, reiterated on Wednesday that the tariffs are good for the U.S. even if no other nation comes to the table.
“We truly can be very wealthy, we can be even wealthier than any other country. It’s not even believable,” Trump said from the Rose Garden on Wednesday.
“We take care of countries all over the world… we have to take care of our people and we’re going to take care of our people first.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday also pleaded with foreign governments to review how the tariffs impact their economy before choosing to retaliate.