WSJ Trade Reporter on Why Trump’s Tariff Tactics Are So Unpredictable

Trade Policy & Strategy - The Trump administration's trade policy is characterized by inconsistency, including tariff delays, unreleased deals, and contradictions between the President and his staff [1][2] - The administration initially imposed reciprocal tariffs, then paused them, and subsequently extended the deadline, creating uncertainty [2] - The administration's messaging on trade deals is inconsistent, with negotiators finalizing deals that the President later seeks to improve [3][4] - The administration aims to expedite trade negotiations, potentially leading to both gains and risks for the overall trade agenda [6] Tariffs & Deadlines - Reciprocal tariffs were initially imposed around April 2nd, then paused for 90 days, with a deadline set for July 9th, which was later extended [2] - The new deadline for tariffs was set for August 1st [2][5] Negotiation Tactics - The administration uses letters posted on Truth Social to announce tariff rates, while also suggesting potential adjustments based on how the US is treated [5] - The administration's approach aims to accelerate negotiations and potentially extract more concessions from other nations [6]