Trade

Wilbur Ross Says Trump Is ‘Deadly Serious’ About Using Tariffs

Tractor trailers wait in line at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, on the US-Mexico border in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.Photographer: Carlos Moreno/Bloomberg

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By Joe Deaux

January 28, 2025 at 11:03 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Former US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said President Donald Trump is “deadly serious” about using tariffs throughout his second term to squeeze concessions from allies, but doesn’t think he’ll ultimately take a blanket approach.

Ross, speaking by phone from his home in Florida, said Trump will use tariffs to boost domestic manufacturers and accomplish other objectives, including bending other nations to his will. While Trump has recently riled investors with threats of blanket tariffs on all imported goods, Ross said Trump is most likely to use targeted duties.