Previously, a court ruling in the United States doused the Trump administration's tariff measures, ruling that its imposition of tariffs on multiple countries under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act was overstepping.

Subsequently, the Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court, which has confirmed that it will hold a hearing on this matter in early November.

As the hearing date approaches, Trump seems to have prepared for a possible loss.

The U.S. "Wall Street Journal" suddenly reported a piece of news: the Trump administration is quietly adjusting its tariff policy, having exempted dozens of products, such as gold, certain minerals, and chemicals are among the exemption list.

In addition, Trump claimed that after reaching trade agreements with other countries, hundreds of products such as aircraft parts and agricultural products could also be exempted.

The report suggests that Trump is preparing for a potential defeat, and sources also revealed that this is an "insurance measure" to address legal risks.

It is reported that if the Trump administration loses the case, it not only has to refund most of the tariffs already collected but may also overturn the preliminary trade agreements the Trump administration has reached with some countries.

This adjustment reflects a shift in the internal direction of the Trump administration.

A source familiar with the U.S. government's planning said that a consensus is gradually forming within the Trump administration that for goods that cannot be produced domestically, the tariff threshold should be reduced.

According to U.S. media, the attitude change of Commerce Secretary Rutenberg is the most direct reflection, from his previous statement of "no exemptions for reciprocal tariffs" to now allowing "zero tariffs on goods not produced in the U.S." The significant contrast reveals the passivity of the tariff policy.

Domestic industry pressure has also added momentum to this policy adjustment.

The American Consumer Brands Association once petitioned to exempt tariffs on coffee, cocoa, and tropical fruit food ingredients, which are mostly included in the "exemption alternative list" of trade agreements.

Evidently, the cost pressure brought by tariffs has become unbearable for U.S. companies. From their own interests, they are pressuring the government to re-examine the tariff policy.

However, the Trump team has not completely backed down, still looking for new tariff "leverage."

They turned their attention to the more solid legal basis of Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act, recently announced that they would impose a 25% tax on trucks and parts, and a 10% tax on buses, effective from November 1st.

At the same time, they expanded the tariff exemption program for automobile manufacturers, extending the application period for the exemption amount to 2030.

This series of actions once again shows the Trump administration's wavering stance on tariff policies.

Regarding trade with China, the Trump administration's "graceful withdrawal" is more dramatic.

It is known that relations between China and the U.S. have been tense recently, and initially, Trump was still using tariffs to threaten China. However, later Trump seemed to finally realize that his tariff policy really couldn't do anything to China.

Recently, he himself had to admit publicly that imposing high tariffs on China was "unsustainable."

Additionally, in recent times, Trump has frequently stated that he will meet with China in South Korea at the end of this month. The tariff card can't be played against China, but Trump doesn't want to admit defeat.

Therefore, the court plays a role in "giving a way out," somewhat like "one person playing the good cop and another the bad cop." Since tariffs can no longer be sustained, using the excuse of losing the case to exempt them makes the tariff "retreat" less awkward, which can be seen as leaving a face for himself.

Certainly, the final judicial outcome of the Trump administration's tariff policy is still unknown, but one thing is certain: if determined to impose high tariffs on China, the outcome of failure is already set.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7563123298851979830/

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