Trump's staunchest backers are pleading with him to negotiate tariff agreements
Key senators urged the president to promptly finalize trade agreements in light of increasing Wall Street losses and growing political unease.
TroibNews 
Most Republicans on Capitol Hill are not yet distancing themselves from Donald Trump regarding his significant global tariffs. However, some of the president's most devoted supporters are suggesting that he needs to take action quickly.
On Monday, key senators urged Trump to promptly secure agreements with vital trading partners as Wall Street faced increasing losses and political unease within the GOP grew following last week’s tariff announcement, which has intensified into a full-blown trade war.
Sen. Mike Lee, a strong Trump supporter and an advocate for free trade, was one of those encouraging swift action: “Trump could go down as the most pro-trade, pro-growth president in modern U. S. history if he uses this moment as an opportunity to reduce trade barriers,” he wrote on X.
Sen. Ron Johnson, another loyalist who has expressed concerns about Trump’s tariff approach, echoed Lee’s sentiment: “At some point, you have to take YES for an answer.”
The bipartisan encouragement coincided with some countries signaling their readiness to negotiate, with Vietnam requesting a postponement of the proposed 46 percent tariffs and the EU offering a “zero-for-zero” tariff arrangement on industrial goods on Monday.
The administration has highlighted the interest from many countries to strike deals; U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer informed members of the House Ways and Means Committee in a Friday briefing that at least 20 nations had approached the U.S. about trade discussions. As of Monday, that figure had nearly doubled to almost 50.
Lawmakers eager for any way out of the market chaos have latched onto this development. Lee commented in response to the EU’s proposal: “Let’s take that deal! Much to gain.”
However, it's uncertain how keen Trump is on single-country agreements. The White House has repeatedly stated that Wednesday’s tariff announcement was not intended as a precursor to negotiations, and Trump himself has indicated a lack of interest in agreements that would not equalize trade volume with negotiating partners.
There was hope among lawmakers that a meeting between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could lead to an initial agreement, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noting upcoming discussions with Japan. Nonetheless, the administration has been cautious, avoiding any promises of a rush of agreements.
“Our large and persistent trade deficit has been over 30 years in the making, and it will not be resolved overnight, but all of this is in the right direction," Greer is expected to tell the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday, according to prepared testimony obtained by PMG.
Meanwhile, Trump is indicating he’s prepared to confront any GOP critics. On Monday, he cautioned his trade opponents on Truth Social: “Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN.” Later, he issued a veto threat aimed at a bipartisan bill co-authored by GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, which would limit the president’s largely unchecked authority to impose tariffs.
These warnings have effectively constrained congressional Republicans, with most GOP lawmakers refraining from publicly criticizing the president despite their discomfort regarding the tariffs and the ensuing market downturn. Yet, some still perceive potential signs that Trump might start to shift his stance on a country-by-country basis—even if they are not prepared to formally curtail his tariff powers.
“There’s some movement from Vietnam where there is some negotiating — where they’ve reached out — there is some hope that that could calm the markets sooner rather than later,” Sen. Kevin Cramer stated in a brief interview late last week.
Sen. Ted Cruz remarked on his “Verdict” podcast Monday that if Trump effectively leverages his position to forge trade deals, it would represent a “massive victory,” while also questioning whether those around the president favored a prolonged trade conflict.
“There are voices in the White House that want high tariffs forever,” he noted. “There are angels and demons sitting on President Trump’s shoulders. Who does he listen to? I hope he listens to the angels.”
A group of Republicans showing no signs of dissent are the top congressional leaders, who continue to express their intention to allow Trump time to implement his tariff strategy and oppose any measures that might disrupt the unfolding trade war.
"We're going to give him the space necessary to do it and we'll see how it all develops,” Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Monday. “It’s only been a week.” Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissed Grassley's bill, stating, "I don't think that has a future."
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
On Monday, key senators urged Trump to promptly secure agreements with vital trading partners as Wall Street faced increasing losses and political unease within the GOP grew following last week’s tariff announcement, which has intensified into a full-blown trade war.
Sen. Mike Lee, a strong Trump supporter and an advocate for free trade, was one of those encouraging swift action: “Trump could go down as the most pro-trade, pro-growth president in modern U. S. history if he uses this moment as an opportunity to reduce trade barriers,” he wrote on X.
Sen. Ron Johnson, another loyalist who has expressed concerns about Trump’s tariff approach, echoed Lee’s sentiment: “At some point, you have to take YES for an answer.”
The bipartisan encouragement coincided with some countries signaling their readiness to negotiate, with Vietnam requesting a postponement of the proposed 46 percent tariffs and the EU offering a “zero-for-zero” tariff arrangement on industrial goods on Monday.
The administration has highlighted the interest from many countries to strike deals; U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer informed members of the House Ways and Means Committee in a Friday briefing that at least 20 nations had approached the U.S. about trade discussions. As of Monday, that figure had nearly doubled to almost 50.
Lawmakers eager for any way out of the market chaos have latched onto this development. Lee commented in response to the EU’s proposal: “Let’s take that deal! Much to gain.”
However, it's uncertain how keen Trump is on single-country agreements. The White House has repeatedly stated that Wednesday’s tariff announcement was not intended as a precursor to negotiations, and Trump himself has indicated a lack of interest in agreements that would not equalize trade volume with negotiating partners.
There was hope among lawmakers that a meeting between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could lead to an initial agreement, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noting upcoming discussions with Japan. Nonetheless, the administration has been cautious, avoiding any promises of a rush of agreements.
“Our large and persistent trade deficit has been over 30 years in the making, and it will not be resolved overnight, but all of this is in the right direction," Greer is expected to tell the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday, according to prepared testimony obtained by PMG.
Meanwhile, Trump is indicating he’s prepared to confront any GOP critics. On Monday, he cautioned his trade opponents on Truth Social: “Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN.” Later, he issued a veto threat aimed at a bipartisan bill co-authored by GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, which would limit the president’s largely unchecked authority to impose tariffs.
These warnings have effectively constrained congressional Republicans, with most GOP lawmakers refraining from publicly criticizing the president despite their discomfort regarding the tariffs and the ensuing market downturn. Yet, some still perceive potential signs that Trump might start to shift his stance on a country-by-country basis—even if they are not prepared to formally curtail his tariff powers.
“There’s some movement from Vietnam where there is some negotiating — where they’ve reached out — there is some hope that that could calm the markets sooner rather than later,” Sen. Kevin Cramer stated in a brief interview late last week.
Sen. Ted Cruz remarked on his “Verdict” podcast Monday that if Trump effectively leverages his position to forge trade deals, it would represent a “massive victory,” while also questioning whether those around the president favored a prolonged trade conflict.
“There are voices in the White House that want high tariffs forever,” he noted. “There are angels and demons sitting on President Trump’s shoulders. Who does he listen to? I hope he listens to the angels.”
A group of Republicans showing no signs of dissent are the top congressional leaders, who continue to express their intention to allow Trump time to implement his tariff strategy and oppose any measures that might disrupt the unfolding trade war.
"We're going to give him the space necessary to do it and we'll see how it all develops,” Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Monday. “It’s only been a week.” Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissed Grassley's bill, stating, "I don't think that has a future."
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
Find more stories on Business, Economy and Finance in TROIB business
