Karoline Leavitt Sets Stunned WH Press Straight on Trump's Tariff Strategy ('Art of the Deal' Memes FTW)

Doug P. | 4:10 PM on April 09, 2025

As we told you earlier, President Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs and "substantially lowered reciprocal tariffs" for most countries, with a notable exception: China.

BREAKING: President Trump issues a 90-day pause on tariffs "and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period of 10%," except for China.

The president has raised tariffs on China to 125%, effective immediately. pic.twitter.com/XNBKA6uH7S
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 9, 2025

"Art of the Deal in progress":

🚨 PAUSE.. 125%

Art of the Deal.. in progress pic.twitter.com/ZohWVnHlaH
— Justin Barclay (@MrJustinBarclay) April 9, 2025

Well isn't that an interesting turn!

Come to the table to negotiate you get rewarded. 💥
— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) April 9, 2025

Pretty much.

He's pinning the entire world against China.

That was the play the whole time.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 9, 2025

The stock market shot back up as well on that news, and Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke to the press outside the White House later on.

Gathered media were apoplectic (but when aren't they when Trump's in office?):

Reporters start SCREECHING after Karoline Leavitt lays down the FACTS on Trump's tariff strategy!

"For DECADES, Republicans and Democrats have said that these unfair trade practices are ripping off the American people, are ripping off our country, but NOBODY has EVER done… pic.twitter.com/AWniUlqd7E
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 9, 2025

🔥BOOM: LEAVITT DROPS THE HAMMER ON THE MEDIA!

"Many of you in the media clearly missed The Art of the Deal. You clearly failed to see what President Trump is doing here. You you tried to say that the rest of the world would be moved closer to China, when in fact, we've seen the… pic.twitter.com/eY676007nW
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 9, 2025

"Many of you in the media clearly missed The Art of the Deal. You clearly failed to see what President Trump is doing here. You you tried to say that the rest of the world would be moved closer to China, when in fact, we've seen the opposite effect. The entire world is calling the United States of America, not China, because they need our markets, they need our consumers, and they need this president in the Oval Office to talk to them."
"That's exactly why more than 75 countries have called, because the United States of America is the best place in the world to do business. And the president has shown great courage, as the Secretary just said, in choosing to retaliate against China even higher!"

"The Art of the Deal" memes are now becoming a thing after this news.