'Lay off the links!' Critics roast 'TACO' Trump over flailing trade blitz
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent went back and forth with CNN's Dana Bash on Monday over whether President Donald Trump made the "90 deals in 90 days" he promised.
Trump had paused his tariffs for 90 days, during which he was supposed to negotiate with China, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries. But with just a couple of days to go, "The majority of those deals did not materialize, except for a handful of exceptions," CNN reported.
Critics on social media expressed dismay at the lack of progress, although they didn't seem surprised.
Political commentator Cyrus Janssen posted to X, "In April, Trump proudly boasted that 'everybody wants to make a deal' and it was possible for 90 deals in 90 days. The reality? Over 100 countries didn't even bother to contact Trump and discuss, now Trump and his team are threatening tariffs again. Seriously, are we going to go through all this nonsense again just to see Trump serve TACOs and reverse his tariffs like he did with China in less than 30 days?"
@Andie00471 wrote, "By my count we have an absurd deal with the UK, actual tariffs on Canada & Mexico, concepts of a plan with China, a few auto specific tariffs and JACK S--- with the rest of the world. The TACO King may want to lay off the links and do some actual negotiating because the clock is ticking."
TACO refers to the unflattering moniker, "Trump Always Chickens Out" on trade deals.
Financier @SpencerHakimian wrote, "BESSENT: 100 COUNTRIES WILL GET 10% RECIPROCAL TARIFF. So basically, you guys accomplished absolutely nothing in your 90 day negotiation window and now we all have to pay a 10% tax for your stupidity?"
Self-professed RINO @MikeBates wrote, "In April Trump claimed his phone was burning up with calls about tariffs: 'Every country is calling and being very solicitous, very, very nice.' Trump’s Treasury secretary Bessent today: 'Many of these countries never even contacted us.' So who’s lying?"