Trump mocks Tarrif-hit countries: “They are kissing my a**”

US President Donald Trump mocked tariff-hit nations on Tuesday (local time), stating that they were ready to don anything while trying to negotiate with him.

While speaking at the National Republican Congressional Committee, Trump said he was a better negotiator than Congress. He said, "I'm telling you- these countries are calling us up, kissing my a**. They are dying to make a deal- 'please sir make a deal, I'll do anything, I'll do anything sir'".

The President even mocked dissident Republicans who proposed that the US Congress should handle talks with foreign governments. "Let me tell you, you don’t negotiate like I negotiate," he said.

On April 2, Donald Trump fired off his latest trade salvo — a sweeping 10 per cent 'baseline' tariff on nearly every country, with steeper 'reciprocal' rates targeting what his team calls "bad actors", including China and India.

The escalation didn't stop there. The White House declared a punitive 104 per cent tariff on all Chinese imports, effective from midnight, April 8. Beijing was given 24 hours to dismantle its 34 percent retaliatory tariff on US goods — or face the full brunt. China did not blink.

In an unusual outreach, China is now signalling solidarity with India. On Tuesday, Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, urged New Delhi to stand with Beijing against what he termed "US abuse of tariffs".

India, too, is feeling the heat. Trump’s 26% tariff on Indian exports kicked in on Wednesday, rattling markets. The Sensex opened in the red, with investors fearing a new phase of global trade turbulence.