Trump aims for 90 trade deals in 90 days, but success uncertain – Reuters
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
The administration of US President Donald Trump has set an ambitious goal: to secure 90 trade deals in 90 days. However, experts have doubts, according to Reuters.
On April 14, the head of the European Union's trade delegation, Maroš Šefčovič, will arrive in Washington for urgent talks regarding tariffs announced by Trump on April 2. The EU is one of the US's largest trading partners, with bilateral trade last year amounting to nearly $1 trillion, the agency reports.
Reuters notes that when Šefčovič arrives, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will be in Buenos Aires to show support for Argentina's economic reforms, rather than in Washington. Meanwhile, Argentina accounts for just $16.3 billion in total annual trade with the US.
Bessent's absence raises concerns among trade experts about how effectively the administration can manage such a large number of simultaneous negotiations and about the overall prospects of securing 90 deals in 90 days.
Trade war
In early April, Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on imports. This move sparked unrest globally and on markets. Several countries threatened the US with countermeasures in response to the tariffs.
Trump stated that he could consider canceling or reducing tariffs for countries if they made a "phenomenal offer."
By April 9, Trump suspended additional tariffs for a number of countries, as over 75 nations reached out to the US with proposals for negotiations. A 10% tariff will apply to these countries. The US president also said he was willing to make exceptions for most countries, but emphasized that the 10% tariff rate was the minimum.
