Kevin Hassett, Chairperson of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, noted that "President Donald Trump directed that allied nations such as South Korea and Japan should be prioritized in trade negotiations."
When asked during an interview with Fox News on the 8th (local time) whether he expected President Trump to discuss tariff issues with China, Hassett replied accordingly.
Hassett stated, "The president was very clear in the directive he gave us all to prioritize our allies and trading partners in the process of pursuing trade agreements."
He added, "While the president will decide whether and when to talk with China, for now, he said we should prioritize our allies and trading partners such as Japan and South Korea."