He's looking for a win, any win. If these countries capitulate the slightest bit, he will acquiesce and remove/lower tariffs. All he wants is a headline.
On one hand he is using leverage to force countries to come to the table on something/anything...his comment 30-45 days ago was something like how many F-150s do you see in Munich. Im not saying we will start selling into their market, but all options are on the table (UKR, NATO spending etc...).
On the other hand ( I hate that segment on CNBC) he is threading a needle here, as the consumer, while resilient the last 24 mos, may not be able to handle a reversal of the inflation trend. The Fed certainly won't cut if inflation spikes up and if tariffs prove inflationary, could be a disastrous year in the market. Which is why I don't think it will last long, this tariff game he's playing. He just wants to put it in someone's face that "we're back" or out maneuvered somebody.
For market traders, they will do fine shorting it, playing options....for us long term buy and hold types, say goodbye to a 3rd year of 20%...going to have to ride it out.