Earlier this year, the Trump administration became the first American administration to hold direct talks with Hamas. While President Trump’s chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff, said that maybe Hamas duped him, Trump defended the decision to engage directly with Hamas. “We are having discussions with Hamas. We are helping Israel in those discussions because we’re talking about Israeli hostages… You have to negotiate. There’s a difference between negotiating and paying. We want to get these people out.” he said in the Oval Office March 7.

President Trump has a similar attitude towards direct negotiations with the regime in Iran. And Russia’s Vladimir Putin. And North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Because of the high stakes, it is always worthwhile for U.S. officials, including the president himself, to negotiate directly with anyone, including hostile states.

President Trump, today, on Truth Social.

If China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th. Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated!

We must always be willing to negotiate, even with the worst actors in the world. Unless another country imposes retaliatory tariffs, then we’re not willing to meet with them.