US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent advised countries not to retaliate with tariffs against each other, stating that higher customs duties would not be applied if retaliation is avoided. In an interview with Bloomberg, Bessent commented on the reciprocal tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump. Advising countries not to panic, Bessent said, “If I were them, I wouldn’t try to retaliate because as long as you don’t retaliate, that figure will be the upper limit.” Bessent emphasized that markets can be certain of these rates if there is no retaliation. Bessent mentioned that countries have been reaching out for tariff negotiations, but highlighted that the decision on what to do rests with President Trump. Referring to China’s link between resolving the fentanyl crisis and removing tariffs, Bessent argued that the ranking should not work that way. Similarly, in an interview with Fox News, Bessent reiterated, “My advice to every country right now is not to retaliate. Let’s see how it plays out, because if you retaliate, it will escalate.”