US Trade Deals Could Be Reached Within Weeks, No China Talks Currently Planned Says USTR Greer

Table of Contents

By David Lawder

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration anticipates reaching preliminary tariff agreements with certain U.S. trade partners in the coming weeks; however, discussions with India are not quite near completion, and formal talks with China have yet to commence, according to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Wednesday.

Greer informed the Fox News Channel that the Trump administration is concentrating on "strategic" agreements designed to expand opportunities for American exports, decrease tariffs and non-tariff trade impediments, and boost U.S. economic safety.

Greer stated, “I’d indicate that we’re nearing agreements.” As the lead negotiator, he prefers keeping discussions private. However, he indicated that they anticipate announcing preliminary deals within weeks rather than months.

Recently, Trump administration members mentioned that an agreement with a significant anonymous trading partner has been secured but still requires endorsement from both the nation’s parliament and prime minister. When asked about potential progress with India, Greer stated it wasn’t “race-to-the-finish-close,” though he maintains regular contact with India’s commerce minister. Additionally, he noted numerous high-level discussions between the U.S. and India held recently.

Greer mentioned that he will be meeting with delegates from Japan, Guyana, and Saudi Arabia on Thursday, followed by talks with those from the Philippines on Friday. He is also collaborating closely with counterparts from South Korea and Britain.

Greer mentioned that he informs his counterparts they ought to decrease tariff rates and "remove the non-tariff obstacles preventing me from exporting both industrial and agricultural goods to your nation." Additionally, the U.S. is requesting these countries to ensure fair play in areas such as digital commerce, protection of intellectual property rights, labor laws, and environmental regulations, according to him.

However, considering the substantial $1.2 trillion trade deficit from last year, he mentioned that the U.S. aims to maintain certain elevated tariff levels “until this issue is settled.”

He stated that there were no formal discussions happening with China, even though he had a conversation with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. During this talk, they announced significant reciprocal tariffs set for implementation on April 2nd. Greer mentioned that the Trump administration aims for equitable trade practices with China.

"We aim to create an economy driven not by governmental funding but by producing tangible goods for sale. This approach necessitates addressing unfair foreign trade practices, particularly those coming from China," stated Greer.

(Reported by David Lawder and Ryan Patrick Jones; Edited by Leslie Adler)