Trump says he's not backing down on tariffs, calls them 'medicine' as markets reel

President Donald Trump returns to his Mar-a-Lago club from Trump National Golf Club, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Fla. From left, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick follow President Donald Trump to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House en route to Florida, Friday, March 28, 2025, in Washington. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick holds a chart as President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro arrives before President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington.



FILE - President Donald Trump meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni arrives in St.

Peter's Basilica at The Vatican to attend a mass presided over by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, for late Saint Pope John Paul II on the 20th anniversary of his death. President Donald Trump walks down the stairs of Air Force One upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sunday, April 6, 2025.

President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn as he arrives at the White House on Marine One, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. President Donald Trump returns to his Mar-a-Lago club from Trump National Golf Club, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Fla. From left, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.

Kennedy Jr. and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick follow President Donald Trump to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House en route to Florida, Friday, March 28, 2025, in Washington. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick holds a chart as President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro arrives before President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. FILE - President Donald Trump meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni arrives in St. Peter's Basilica at The Vatican to attend a mass presided over by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, for late Saint Pope John Paul II on the 20th anniversary of his death. President Donald Trump walks down the stairs of Air Force One upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md.

, Sunday, April 6, 2025. President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn as he arrives at the White House on Marine One, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.

(AP) — President Donald Trump said Sunday that he won't back down on his sweeping tariffs on imports from most of the world unless countries even out their trade with the U.S., digging in on his plans to implement the taxes that have sent financial markets reeling , raised fears of a recession and upended the global trading system .

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he didn't want global markets to fall, but also that he wasn't concerned about the massive sell-off either, adding, "sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

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