'It's all fake': Trump aide says the quiet part out loud about this 'theatrical' policy
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Democratic Republic of the Congo's Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington D.C., June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
In April, President Donald Trump promised 90 trade deals in 90 days after he rolled out his so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs. But even though Trump has only secured one agreement so far (a tentative framework with the United Kingdom) with that 90-day window closing next week, he's shown no signs of concern.
One unnamed White House aide recently confided to Politico that Trump views international trade more as gamesmanship rather than an earnest attempt to get concrete policy signed and put in place. That aide hinted that Trump views tariffs as a means of getting leverage on trade partners, and that he believes that his tariff policy is "the most interesting part of his presidency."
"I find it hard to believe he’s going to surrender it that easily. It’s all fake. There’s no deadline," the aide said. "It’s a self-imposed landmark in this theatrical show, and that’s where we are."
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So far, Trump has kept in place a baseline 10% tariff on all trade partners, though he has rolled out additional tariffs on items like auto parts, solar panels, washing machines, aluminum, steel and lumber. And more are likely to come in the future, with Trump saying in late June he plans to send letters to countries informing them of new import duties specifically for them.
"Dear Mr. Japan, here's the story. You're going to pay a 25% tariff on your cars," Trump said as one example, adding that the letter would signal the end of negotiations with that particular country.
According to Wendy Cutler of the Asia Society Policy Institute — who was also a trade official in former President Barack Obama's administration – countries should have no reason to take Trump at his word if he does issue a new tariff, given her mercurial nature. She noted that even if Trump does announce a wave of new trade deals in the coming days, countries likely know he may change his mind on a whim and impose a new rate should a foreign leader say or do something Trump doesn't like.
"Eyes are wide open about these deals," she told Politico, adding that "the deals themselves do not necessarily mean you’re going to be shielded from tariffs."
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Click here to read Politico's report in its entirety.
