U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration is “very close” to completion of multiple trade deals with U.S. trading partners in Asia. The agreements are expected to strengthen economic ties while reducing American dependence on China—one of the central goals of the Trump 2024 campaign. Administration officials have stated the negotiations are in their final stages and will focus on securing fair trade terms, protecting U.S. manufacturing, and enhancing energy cooperation.
The proposed agreements are designed to align with Trump’s “America First” economic strategy, emphasizing sovereignty, domestic job growth, and strategic resilience. Officials have underscored that the U.S. is working only with nations that uphold property rights, respect U.S. industry, and maintain stable rule-of-law environments. Though the specific countries involved were not named, the administration confirmed that they are key regional players with significant trade volume and strategic importance.
These developments follow months of strained relations with China over issues including intellectual property theft, supply chain manipulation, and aggressive geopolitical actions. The White House made it clear that these new trade pacts are being formed as a direct counter to Chinese dominance in critical sectors. By pivoting toward trustworthy Asian allies, the administration aims to reshape the U.S. economic footprint in the region.
The trade deals are also seen as a cornerstone of President Trump’s broader push to restore American leadership globally through strength and strategic partnerships. “The President has made clear that we will no longer tolerate trade dependency on adversarial powers,” one senior official said. “We’re building new economic alliances rooted in mutual respect and national security.”
