The Trump administration is accelerating its trade agenda, with 18 countries submitting formal proposals for new trade agreements, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. This surge follows President Donald Trump’s implementation of a 90-day pause on elevated tariffs for over 75 trading partners, excluding China, to facilitate negotiations.
Leavitt stated that the administration’s trade team, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, and presidential counselor Peter Navarro, is engaging with representatives from 34 countries this week alone.
“We are moving at Trump speed to ensure these deals are made on behalf of the American worker and the American people,” Leavitt shared.
Among the notable developments, Vice President JD Vance announced a framework for a trade deal with India during a visit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Leavitt criticized the mainstream media for underreporting this progress, highlighting India’s history of imposing monetary and nonmonetary trade barriers that have disadvantaged American workers.
Leavitt asserted, “We know when we look at the numbers, the monetary trade barriers and the nonmonetary trade barriers from India, they have been ripping off the United States and American workers for a very long time.”
In the broader context, the administration is also focusing on de-escalating trade tensions with China. President Trump expressed optimism about reaching a deal that would substantially lower the current 145% tariffs on Chinese imports. Treasury Secretary Bessent echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the ongoing trade war is unsustainable and that both nations are likely to seek a resolution.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has noted that the current tariff environment is contributing to a slowdown in global economic growth, projecting a decrease to 2.8% in 2025. Despite these concerns, the Trump administration remains focused on securing favorable trade agreements to bolster the U.S. economy.
