Trump addresses stock market losses, China trade deficit

The president spoke with reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday.

Last Updated: April 7, 2025, 2:30 AM EDT

The fallout continues after President Donald Trump's unveiling of severe tariffs against virtually all U.S. trading partners.

On Sunday, ABC's "This Week" anchor George Stephanopoulos pressed White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett about Trump reposting a video that said he was tanking the markets to force the Fed to lower interest rates. Hassett said Trump was entitled to his opinion, but denied that his tariff policy was intended to put pressure on the Fed to lower rates.

Trading on Thursday and Friday marked the worst days for U.S. stocks since 2020.

Apr 03, 2025, 1:16 PM EDT

French PM Macron calls for suspension of US investments, plans counter tariffs

French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron joined the growing criticism of Trump's tariffs from allies labeling the tariffs "brutal and unfounded."

In a speech given at the Elysée Palace as he welcomed representatives from the most impacted sectors, he declared that the measures will leave the American economy, both businesses and citizens, "weaker and poorer."

Macron also called for a suspension of planned investments in the U.S. by European companies until there is greater clarity on trade policies.

He vowed that "there will be a European response."

The first one will come in mid-April on tariffs that were already announced on steel and aluminum, and then a "more massive" response concerning yesterday's announcement will come at the end of the month.

-ABC News' Hugo Leenhardt

Apr 03, 2025, 1:14 PM EDT

White House insists Trump is not going to negotiate on tariffs

While President Donald Trump has no public events on the schedule, various White House officials have been deployed to defend his tariffs as backlash grows.

One common theme of their news appearances is the insistence that the steep levies on trade partners are not a negotiating tactic.

"Negotiating is talking," Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on CNN. "No talking, doing."

"The president made it clear yesterday, this is not a negotiation. This is a national emergency. He's always willing to pick up the phone to answer calls, but he laid out the case yesterday for why we are doing it this," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the network earlier on Thursday.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick speaks with reporters at the White House, Mar. 13, 2025, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP

Apr 03, 2025, 12:21 PM EDT

Canada announces counter tariffs on vehicles

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to Trump's tariffs and announced 25% tariffs on all U.S. vehicles that are not compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to reporters as he arrives on Parliament Hill to attend a meeting of the cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations and national security in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, April 2, 2025.
Patrick Doyle/Reuters

"All the money raised from these counter tariffs will go directly to workers affected by the American tariffs," he said during a news conference Thursday.

Carney warned that the tariffs will "rupture" the global economy and vowed to fight for Canadians.

"While this is a tragedy, it is also the new reality. We must respond with both purpose and force. We are a free, sovereign, and ambitious country. We are masters in our own homes," he said.

-ABC News' Victoria Beaulé

Apr 03, 2025, 12:09 PM EDT

'Donald Trump has single-handedly created a financial forest fire,' Schumer says

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed President Donald Trump's tariffs in a floor speech on Thursday.

"Yesterday, Donald Trump made one of the dumbest decisions he has ever made as president, and that's saying something," he said. "Donald Trump has single-handedly created a financial forest fire."

Schumer then called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to call the House back into session to take up the Senate-passed resolution that would revoke the tariffs on Canada.

Johnson was on hand during Wednesday's tariff announcement at the White House and praised the move.

House leadership is not expected to take up that resolution and the chamber is not expected to return until next week.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer prepares to speak reporters following the Democrats' weekly luncheon in the Capitol in Washington, Mar. 25 2025.
Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

-ABC News' Mariam Khan

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