President Donald Trump declared that global leaders are “kissing my ass” in desperate attempts to negotiate trade deals with him, doubling down on his aggressive tariff policies despite market turmoil and bipartisan backlash.
Speaking at the National Republican Congressional Committee’s annual fundraising dinner Tuesday night, Trump boasted about his hardline trade tactics, mocking foreign leaders who he claims are begging for relief from his escalating tariffs.
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Trump Mocks World Leaders: ‘They’re Begging Me for a Deal’
“I know what the hell I’m doing,” Trump told donors during a 90-minute, wide-ranging speech. “These countries are calling us up, kissing my ass. They are. They are dying to make a deal.”
In a mocking tone, he imitated world leaders pleading:
“Please, please, sir, make a deal. I’ll do anything. I’ll do anything, sir!”
His remarks came just hours before his new 104% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles took effect, further inflaming tensions with Beijing. China retaliated Wednesday with 84% tariffs on U.S. goods, escalating a trade war that economists warn could trigger a global recession.
@nbcnewsPresident #Trump said negotiating countries are “kissing my ass,” hours before sweeping global #tariffs went into effect.♬ original sound – nbcnews
Markets in Meltdown, GOP Unease Grows
Trump’s latest tariffs have wiped trillions from U.S. stock markets, drawing rare criticism from Republicans. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers called the policy:
“the biggest self-inflicted wound we’ve put on our economy in history.”
Several GOP senators, including allies like Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), have backed a bipartisan bill to rein in presidential tariff powers. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) plans to introduce a House version, arguing Congress must “restore its constitutional role” in trade policy.
But Trump dismissed dissenters, sneering:
“I need some guy telling me how to negotiate?”
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More Tariffs Coming—Including on Pharmaceuticals
Trump teased new tariffs on pharmaceuticals, claiming they would force drugmakers to return production to the U.S. Economists warn this could spike prices for critical medicines, but Trump insisted,
“They’re going to come rushing back.”
Then, in vintage Trump fashion, he revived a bizarre campaign trail comparison, referencing fictional cannibal Hannibal Lecter while discussing immigration.
“We have many of them that came across the border,” he said, insisting voters agreed with his inflammatory rhetoric.
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A Freudian Slip Steals the Show
The night’s most viral moment came when Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) accidentally introduced Trump as “President c—t” before quickly correcting himself. The gaffe spread rapidly online, with anti-Trump group The Lincoln Project quipping:
“Had it right the first time.”
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What’s Next?
With markets reeling and allies uneasy, Trump remains defiant. But as retaliatory tariffs mount, the question remains: Will his “kissing my ass” strategy backfire?
