‘Tariff-hit nations kissing my a**’: Trump claims countries are ‘dying to make a deal’

US President Donald Trump has claimed that countries that have been hit by his sweeping tariff measures are “calling him” and “are dying to make a deal”. Trump’s reciprocal tariffs took effect on Wednesday as the global stock market sank after a day of short-lived recovery.

“These countries are calling us up. Kissing my a**. They are dying to make a deal. Please, please sir, make a deal. I’ll do anything sir,” the president said during the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) dinner.

Trump: "These countries are calling us up. Kissing my ass." @atrupar
pic.twitter.com/C0XhgwRJE4

— The Intellectualist (@highbrow_nobrow) April 9, 2025

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Following the sweeping 10 percent tariffs that took effect over the weekend, rates on imports to the United States from exporters like the European Union or Japan rose further at 12.01 am (0401 GMT) Wednesday.

Trump said Tuesday his government was working on “tailored deals” with trading partners, with the White House saying it would prioritise allies like Japan and South Korea.

As countries scramble to respond to the tariffs, delegations from Japan and South Korea are already on their way to seek cutbacks, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to personally fly down to the US to negotiate a deal.

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Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s Trade Representative Jameson Greer has said that India is planning to lower tariffs. He added that India is among the several countries which has expressed willingness to lower levies as part of Trump’s push for “reciprocity” in trade.

“The phones have been ringing off the hook, wanting to talk to this administration, this president and his trade team to try to strike a deal,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier.

The US president believes his policy will revive America’s lost manufacturing base by forcing companies to relocate to the United States.

But many business experts and economists question how quickly – if ever – this can take place, warning of higher inflation as the tariffs raise prices.

With inputs from agencies