Trump teases announcement of major trade deal amid ongoing tariff talks
PTC Web Desk: Weeks after imposing tariffs on multiple countries to pressure them into negotiating trade agreements, US President Donald Trump hinted at an impending "major trade deal" with what he described as a "big, highly respected country."
In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced, "Big News Conference tomorrow morning at 10:00 A.M., The Oval Office, concerning a MAJOR TRADE DEAL WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF A BIG, AND HIGHLY RESPECTED, COUNTRY. THE FIRST OF MANY!!!"
Positioning himself once again as the "dealmaker-in-chief," Trump has consistently suggested that several bilateral agreements are nearing completion, with numerous countries currently in discussions with the US to avert additional punitive tariffs.
Although Trump did not reveal which country the forthcoming deal involves, administration officials have previously pointed to India, Japan, and South Korea as among those closest to finalising agreements.
Last month, Trump asserted that many nations were eager to secure pacts with Washington in order to avoid further tariffs. “These countries are calling us constantly, desperate to make a deal. ‘Please, sir, let’s make a deal. I’ll do anything,’” he remarked at the time.
The administration had initially projected an ambitious timeline, with Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro telling NBC News that as many as 90 agreements could be in the works within 90 days. However, in recent weeks, the pace has slowed considerably. Trump has tempered his earlier bold claims, conceding that trade negotiations are progressing more slowly than anticipated.
Meanwhile, criticism has intensified over the potential economic impact of the tariffs, with concerns mounting that higher costs could burden American consumers and further weaken an already sluggish economy.
Officials maintain that discussions are ongoing with over a dozen countries, but trade agreements are inherently complex and often require years to conclude. Notably, talks with China — the United States’ largest trading partner — remain frozen. No dialogue has resumed since Trump imposed a sweeping 145 per cent tariff on Chinese imports, effectively halting negotiations.
- With inputs from agencies
