Trump tells countries, keep working hard in tariff talks

US President Donald Trump has advised countries in ongoing trade talks with his administration to “just keep working hard” ahead of the August 1 negotiation deadline, repeating his claim that America has been taken advantage of by “both friend and foe” for many years.

Trump made the remarks before departing for a flood-ravaged area in Texas, as South Korea, Japan and other countries strive to



reach deals with the United States to avoid or minimise the impact of steep “reciprocal” tariffs that are set to take effect on August 1.

“I think just keep working hard. You know, we’ve been taken advantage of for many, many years by countries, both friend and foe. And frankly, the friends have been worse than the foes in many cases,” he said during a press availability at the White House.