U.S. Trade Representative Greer: Initial trade deals to be announced in weeks, not months

U.S. Trade Representative Greer: Initial trade deals to be announced in weeks, not months

In a recent development, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai has indicated that initial trade deals are expected to be announced within weeks rather than months, signaling a potential acceleration in the administration's trade negotiations. This statement comes amidst ongoing discussions with various trading partners over the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration [1].

According to a report from POLITICO, White House officials have been actively engaging with around 18 key trading partners to discuss the terms of the tariffs, which were initially announced on April 2 but suspended until July 8. The administration has been receiving preliminary outlines from these countries, which serve as a foundation for further negotiations [2].

The U.S. Trade Representative's office has emphasized the importance of addressing intellectual property rights concerns, as highlighted in the annual Special 301 Report. Mexico, which had been on the watch list for several years, has been moved to a higher priority group due to longstanding issues related to trademark counterfeiting and protection of pharmaceutical-related intellectual property [3].

The acceleration in trade deal announcements is aimed at alleviating concerns about the U.S. economic outlook, which has been negatively impacted by existing tariffs on China, autos, steel, and aluminum. The White House has been touting progress in negotiations, despite private indications that the discussions are still in the preliminary stages [2].

The administration's strategy appears to be to use the preliminary outlines submitted by trading partners to set the parameters for negotiations, with a focus on reducing trade barriers and increasing reciprocal trade. However, the timeline for these negotiations remains uncertain, with some countries expressing skepticism about the feasibility of reaching agreements within the self-imposed July 8 deadline [2].

In conclusion, the U.S. Trade Representative's office is working to expedite trade deal announcements, with an emphasis on addressing intellectual property rights concerns and reducing trade barriers. The acceleration in negotiations aims to mitigate the economic impact of existing tariffs and demonstrate progress in the administration's trade agenda.

References:
[1] https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/04/29/congress/jamieson-greer-senate-gop-tariffs-00316720
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-trade-agency-adds-mexico-090630794.html
[3] https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/29/us-tariffs-trade-partners-deals-talks-00317192