US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent advised countries against engaging in reciprocal tariffs, stating that higher customs tariff rates will not be applied if retaliatory measures are avoided. In an interview with Bloomberg, Bessent commented on the reciprocal tariffs announced by President Donald Trump, advising countries not to panic. “If it were me, I wouldn’t try to retaliate because as long as you don’t, that figure will be the upper limit,” he said. Bessent emphasized that markets can be certain about these rates if retaliation is not carried out. Mentioning that countries are in contact for tariff negotiations, Bessent stressed that the decision lies with President Trump. Bessent conveyed China’s stance that the resolution of the fentanyl crisis is linked to the removal of tariffs, but argued that ranking should not work in this way. In an interview with Fox News, Bessent reiterated similar sentiments, advising every country against retaliatory actions. “My recommendation to all countries right now is not to retaliate. Let’s see how it goes, because if you retaliate, it will escalate,” he said.