The Trump administration responded Thursday to a federal court’s decision to freeze most of the President’s tariffs on foreign nations, marking a significant moment in international trade relations.

Despite mounting concerns that tariffs could harm U.S. consumers and the economy, former President Donald Trump insists they are necessary to rebalance trade. Describing the nation as being in a ‘transition’ period, he maintains that these measures are essential for correcting trade imbalances.

The Trump administration’s recent claims of rapid progress in trade negotiations with dozens of countries have been met with skepticism by economist Scott Lincicome, who calls the assertions “totally unrealistic” due to the complexities of trade policy.

In a live interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett disputed host Jake Tapper’s suggestion that Trump administration officials were sending contradictory messages about tariffs. The exchange highlighted ongoing concerns over the clarity of the administration’s trade policy communications.

The Trump administration has announced that certain electronics will be excluded from reciprocal tariffs, marking a significant shift in trade policy that could impact the technology sector.