In the fast-moving world of global trade, the Trump administration’s bold tariff strategy appears to be shaking the tree—and countries are starting to pick up the phone.
Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union this past Sunday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that President Trump’s newly unveiled economic plan is already drawing attention from across the globe. “We’re now two days in,” Rollins said, referencing last Wednesday’s rollout. “You’ve got two days of data.”
According to Rollins, this isn’t just about tariffs—it’s about revamping the American economy from the ground up. “This whole concept is about rebuilding an American economy around American goods, around American industry,” she noted, making the case that U.S. farmers and manufacturers have long been at a disadvantage due to foreign tariff systems.
Rollins pointed to specific examples of trade imbalances that have long frustrated American producers. “Mexico won’t take our corn. Australia won’t take our beef,” she said. “The country of Honduras takes more pork than the entire European Union does—American pork, I should say.”
She argued that it’s high time for a reset, particularly for the agricultural sector. “From our farming and ranching perspective… it is time for a change. That’s what this president evoked last Wednesday.”
And change may already be underway. Rollins revealed that 50 countries have approached the U.S. in recent days, expressing interest in negotiating under the new trade posture. “We already have 50 countries that have come to the table… that are willing and desperate to talk to us,” she said. “We are the economic engine of the world, and it’s finally time that someone, President Trump, stood up for America.”
Rollins’ comments echo a recent Bloomberg report suggesting that India has no intention of retaliating against the U.S. tariffs. Meanwhile, Taiwan has gone a step further, proposing zero tariffs as a starting point for trade discussions and committing to increased investments in the United States.
With nations lining up to renegotiate, the White House seems to be betting that tough talk and tougher policies will bring about fairer deals. Only time will tell if this high-stakes strategy will pay off, but for now, it appears the global marketplace is listening.