Trump Eyes Limited Tariff Exceptions, Downplays Signal Group Leak

U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a more flexible stance on trade tariffs in a recent interview with Newsmax, ahead of the planned April 2 rollout of new reciprocal tariffs. While reaffirming his commitment to correcting trade imbalances, Trump noted he was open to “limited exceptions,” saying he didn’t want to be “too tough” on trading partners. “I’ll probably be more lenient than reciprocal,” he told host Greg Kelly, emphasizing that strict reciprocity would be "very tough for people."

The upcoming tariffs are expected to target around 15 countries and will focus on key sectors, including automobiles, semiconductors, and critical commodities. Trump’s plan has stirred market volatility in recent weeks, though signs of recovery appeared this week as traders began pricing in potential exemptions.

In the same interview, Trump addressed concerns over a security mishap involving a Signal messaging group where Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was mistakenly added. The group reportedly discussed a U.S. strike on Yemen’s Houthi rebels earlier this month. Trump claimed the chat wasn’t classified and insisted no sensitive information was leaked. “I’m very comfortable with the resolution,” he said.

White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, believed to have added Goldberg, took full responsibility for the incident. Despite mounting calls for resignations, Trump expressed support for Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Senate has since questioned top officials, including National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and FBI Director Kash Patel, over the breach.

Trump praised the Yemen strike as a “tremendous success,” reinforcing his administration’s assertive foreign policy stance. With April 2 approaching, markets remain watchful of Trump’s tariff decisions and their potential global impact.