Facing a July 8th deadline for its “90 deals in 90 days” initiative, the Trump administration sent letters urging countries to submit their best trade offers. These letters, a “friendly reminder” according to the press secretary, follow the April pause on new tariffs. However, the need for such reminders has sparked skepticism, with critics questioning the administration’s claims of successful negotiations and the likelihood of meeting the ambitious goal. Social media users have highlighted the shift from assertive pronouncements to what they perceive as pleading with trading partners.
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A preliminary agreement on a US-UK trade deal is expected to be announced by President Trump. This “heads of terms” agreement represents a significant step toward a full trade deal, according to a government source. The announcement, scheduled for Thursday, follows recent meetings between senior Trump officials and UK representatives. The deal is anticipated to address tariffs on steel and cars, and this news has already caused a rise in the value of the British pound.
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President Trump claims to have finalized 200 trade deals, a figure his administration has been unable to substantiate. When pressed by multiple news outlets, cabinet members failed to name a single country with which a deal has been reached, instead offering vague statements about ongoing negotiations and “sub-deals.” This lack of transparency follows a 90-day pause on tariffs, excluding China, and amidst rising tensions and retaliatory measures from China, which denies any trade negotiations have taken place. The discrepancy between Trump’s assertion and the verifiable evidence casts doubt on the administration’s claims.
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Despite claims that over 75 countries have contacted the Trump administration seeking new trade deals, the White House refuses to release a list of these nations. President Trump recently announced a 90-day pause on most tariffs, citing a desire to avoid harming unnecessary countries while prioritizing negotiations. This decision, made without extensive legal counsel, followed a period of deliberation and resulted in a significant stock market surge. However, tariffs on China remain elevated at 145 percent.
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John Q. Hosedrinker