U.S. President Donald Trump firmly rejected the idea of halting tariffs, stating, “We are not looking at that,” when asked about the possibility during a press briefing in the Oval Office. Appearing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump emphasized that the United States seeks only fair and mutually beneficial trade agreements.

“We have many, many countries that are coming to negotiate deals with us, and they gotta be fair deals,” Trump said. “We're going to get fair deals and good deals with every country. If we don't, we're going to have nothing to do with them. They're not allowed to participate in the United States.”

The president’s comments came shortly after misleading reports about a White House official’s remarks triggered a temporary market rally earlier in the day. Those reports had falsely suggested a potential softening in the administration’s tariff stance.

Instead, Trump’s reaffirmation of his aggressive trade strategy added to investor anxiety. Global financial markets fell for the third consecutive day following his April 2 announcement of steeper duties on Chinese goods. The escalation in trade tensions between Washington and Beijing has raised fears of a prolonged economic standoff, sending ripples through global markets.

Trump’s firm tone signals no immediate relief from the ongoing tariff regime, as his administration continues to apply pressure in its quest for revised trade deals. With tensions rising and negotiations intensifying, economic stakeholders worldwide are bracing for further volatility.