Republican Louisiana Senator John Kennedy expressed deep confusion Thursday regarding Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s position on tariffs and trade negotiations, suggesting the administration’s trade policy lacks clear direction. The senator’s remarks followed a puzzling exchange with Lutnick during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday.

During the hearing, Senator Kennedy pressed Secretary Lutnick on the administration’s trade strategy, particularly concerning the goal of lowering tariffs.

To Kennedy’s apparent bewilderment, Lutnick stated that he would not accept a trade deal from a nation, even if it offered to eliminate all tariffs and trade barriers. Lutnick reportedly argued that such a “zero-for-zero” deal would “benefit China’s economy,” an explanation that left Ke

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