The administration of US President Donald Trump wants to conclude 90 trade agreements in 90 days, a period for which the imposition of duties on more than 75 countries has been postponed. This statement was made on Friday by Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro.
He said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick could handle the task. Navarro added that Trump would be the “chief negotiator” because “nothing gets done without his scrutiny.”
European Commission trade representative Maroš Šefčovič will travel to Washington on Monday for tariff talks. However, as Reuters notes, Bessent will be in Buenos Aires that day to show support for Argentina’s economic reforms. His absence during the meeting increases doubts among trade experts about how effectively the US presidential administration will be able to conduct so many negotiations simultaneously, the agency writes.
According to former US Trade Representative Office negotiator Wendy Cutler, reaching deals that will satisfy both Trump and financial markets is a “huge challenge.” She said Trump’s team may have to prioritise key countries and extend the 90-day pause for others.
US President Donald Trump announced on 2 April that he would impose duties on goods from around the world that would be imported into the United States. Stock markets around the world experienced a fall on the back of these moves.
But on 9 April, Trump announced a 90-day pause and a “substantial reduction” in reciprocal tariffs with 75 countries.