Friday, April 25, 2025

US Has Spoken to 90 Countries on Trade, Tariffs: Commerce Secretary

 The Trump administration is actively negotiating trade deals with numerous countries following new tariffs imposed by the president. This update outlines the recent developments in these trade discussions.

1. Number of Countries Engaged: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the U. S. has been in discussions with at least 90 countries regarding trade deals as of April 23, 2025.

2. Fair Deals Emphasis: President Trump emphasized the importance of making fair trade deals, stating, “They’re not going to be rip-off deals. ”

3. Tariff Implementation: Countries that do not reach a deal with the U. S. could face set tariffs. Trump mentioned he plans to establish a rate within the next couple of weeks for those without agreements.

4. China's Unique Situation: While discussing China, Trump indicated the possibility of a “special deal” with Beijing, noting ongoing daily communications between the two nations.

5. Current Proposals: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reported that discussions are taking place with 34 countries this week, with 18 proposals already documented.

6. Tariff Strategy: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent denied any plans to unilaterally reduce tariffs on China, stating that both sides might eventually lower tariff levels mutually. The current tariffs on Chinese imports have reached 145%.

7. Negotiation Pause: Tariffs are currently on hold for many trading partners until July 9 as negotiations continue.

The U. S. administration is focused on securing trade agreements while enforcing strict tariffs to encourage compliance from trading partners, including China. Tariff adjustments and negotiations with multiple countries are actively ongoing. 

https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/us-has-spoken-to-90-countries-on-trade-tariffs-commerce-secretary-5846580

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