Donald Trump’s decision to suspend duties for all countries except China is a reward for countries who have chosen not to react in the midst of the trade conflict, US Finance Minister Scott Bessed said.

He pointed out that the pause would allow the time to negotiate new trade agreements.

“It took a great deal of courage, a great courage to remain stable until now,” Bessed told reporters at the White House shortly after Trump’s announcement of the cessation of new mutual duties for 90 days.

Bessed said the rate for countries that want to negotiate with the US would be reduced to 10%, including Canada and Mexico.

“Every country in the world that wants to come and negotiate, we are ready to hear you,” he said.

He added that the government expects countries to come to the president with their best agreement as part of the effort to restructure world trade.

Bessed made it clear that the pause was not due to market reactions, but it is a regular move to give time for new commercial discussions. He added, in fact, that the markets misunderstood the plan of duties, which – as he said – concerned the establishment of duties from the outset at the maximum permitted level.