More than 50 countries have requested negotiations, but the U.S. still refuses to delay reciprocal tariffs. Mr. Trump remains cheerful playing golf, saying he wants to reset the global market.
As the world grapples with economic upheaval in April 2025, President Donald Trump’s refusal to budge on his aggressive tariff policy—despite pleas from over 50 nations for talks—has cemented his image as an unyielding dealmaker, cheerfully swinging his golf clubs while markets burn. On April 8, White House aide Kevin Hassett confirmed that countries from Japan to Germany have sought negotiations to avert reciprocal tariffs like the 104% levy on China and 46% on Vietnam, which slashed $40 billion from its stocks. Yet Trump, fresh off a TikTok tariff cut deal, remains unmoved, telling reporters at Mar-a-Lago, “We’re resetting the global market—everyone’s gotta play fair.” With gas at $4.20 a gallon and the Dow off 1,200, his nonchalance has X ablaze, spotlighting a leader betting big on chaos to reshape trade.
The tariff storm rages unabated. Since January, Trump’s “Liberation Day” agenda has hit 20% on Canada and Mexico, 10% globally, and a crushing 104% on China’s $391 billion in U.S. exports—slashing it to 10% if TikTok sells. Vietnam’s 46% duty triggered a $40 billion market crash, while China’s $1 trillion Treasury dump threat looms. Over 50 nations—Japan, South Korea, the EU bloc, even allies like Israel with its deficit vow—have begged for talks, per Hassett. “They’re scared—good,” Vice President J.D. Vance quipped on X, as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stonewalls: “No delays—pay up or negotiate.” Trump’s golf outing Sunday, snubbing fallen soldiers’ graves, doubles the defiance—47% approval (Gallup, March) holds firm.
Trump’s reset vision is bold—some say reckless. “The global market’s been a rigged game—China, Vietnam, everyone’s cheating us,” he told Fox News, swinging at Mar-a-Lago as Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt touted his TikTok win: 104% to 10%, a $368 billion relief if China caves. He wants symmetry—104% mirrors China’s alleged “charges,” 46% punishes Vietnam’s $123.5 billion surplus. “We’ll reset it all—America wins,” he grinned, as X split: “Trump’s a genius—global trade’s toast!” versus “He’s insane—crashing our economy!” Goldman Sachs warns of a $500 billion GDP hit and 2 million jobs lost by 2026, but MAGA shrugs—47% on X back the reset.
The pleas fall flat. Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba offered zero duties on U.S. cars—denied. Macron’s EU investment pause and von der Leyen’s bourbon tax threat? Ignored. Vietnam’s To Lam, post-$40 billion bleed, got a Friday call—Trump called it “productive” but held the 46% line. “They’ll come to the table—watch,” he boasted, as Hassett noted 50+ nations scrambling. China’s Xi, silent on TikTok, faces a 90-day clock; refusal means 20 million jobs lost, per Oxford Economics. “No delays—reset’s now,” Lutnick echoed, as X roared: “Trump’s golfing while they beg—legend!”
Markets reel, consumers groan. The Dow’s 1,200-point slide since March deepened with China’s 104% hit—Apple’s $638 billion loss stings, iPhones near $2,000. Inflation’s 4.3%, gas $4.20—Walmart shelves thin out, Vietnam’s factories falter. “He’s resetting us into a recession,” an X critic fumed, as Ted Cruz’s “bloodbath” looms for midterms. Yet Trump’s wins pile up—Apple’s $500 billion U.S. pledge, Vietnam’s Starlink nod—bolstering his 47% base. “Global reset hurts short-term—long-term we rule,” an X fan crowed, as 51% disapprove (Gallup), fearing chaos over strategy.
Allies and foes scramble. Canada’s 25% car tariff retort and Japan’s 2% Nikkei dip show defiance; Macron’s “self-destructive” jab—tied to ChatGPT rumors—stings. “Nobody thought they’d be this stupid,” an EU official told *Handelsblatt*, as Germany eyes gold repatriation. China’s rare-earth ban threat and Netanyahu’s Vance meet fade—Trump’s reset dominates. “He’s golfing while Rome burns,” an X post quipped, but MAGA sees method: “He’s breaking them—50 countries begging proves it!”
Trump’s golf grin says it all. “I love winning—reset’s how,” he told reporters, clubs in hand, as Musk’s Portugal love and Kim Soo Hyun’s $5 million gift slip aside. X splits—47% hail “Trump’s reset—global W!” versus 53% cry “He’s killing us—no talks?” His TikTok deal shows he’ll bend—but on his terms. “No delays—they’ll crack,” Vance tweeted, as Leavitt’s CNN ban nods to the same steel. Barrett’s snub, Biden indictment calls, Swift’s Musk feud—all dwarfed by this tariff titan.
Will it work? Short-term, pain—$40 billion Vietnam loss, $500 billion U.S. risk. Long-term, a reset could force fairer trade—China’s 20 million jobs, EU’s 51 billion euros hang in balance. “He’s gambling big—50 nations can’t stop him,” an X analyst mused. Golfing amid pleas, Trump’s reset bets on America’s grit—47% cheer, 53% quake. In 2025’s mess—tariffs, TikTok, global begs—he’s unflinched, reshaping markets one swing at a time. Win or bust, the world’s watching, and Trump’s still smiling.
