Washington, May 05 (QNA) - US President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration is engaged in trade negotiations with more than 15 countries, aiming to prevent further escalation of tariffs and promote domestic economic growth. In an interview with NBC, Trump emphasized that while some tariffs might become permanent to encourage US-based manufacturing, the overarching goal is to secure fair trade agreements that benefit the American economy. Trump has enacted sweeping tariff increases, including up to 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, with exceptions for select electronics. He defended these measures as necessary to reduce the trade deficit and to incentivize investment within the United States. Beyond China, the Trump administration has imposed a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada, a general 10% tariff on most countries, and specific 25% tariffs on automobiles and steel. Addressing the ongoing trade tensions with China, Trump stated that past US policies had been too rigid, which contributed to a deterioration in relations. However, he noted that China is now “working hard” to reach a trade deal with the US, adding that any agreement must be “fair to the United States.” In the same interview, Trump addressed speculation regarding the future of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Despite having previously criticized Powell and called him “a total stiff,” Trump confirmed he will not remove Powell before his term ends in May 2026. He added that while he expects the Federal Reserve to eventually lower interest rates, he sees no reason for an early dismissal. (QNA)