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Trade agreements spearheaded by Trump remain uncertain amid simmering tariff disputes

Trade negotiations between the U.S. and its major partners experienced a setback on Thursday. A French minister expressed that an agreement with the EU was still at a distance, while China asserted that discussions with the U.S. had yet to commence. Since returning to the White House in...

Trade agreements spearheaded by Trump remain uncertain amid simmering tariff disputes

Trump's trade tangles continue to strain relations with key partners, with China and the EU seemingly miles apart in reaching agreements.

Since his re-election in January, Trump has implemented tariffs on a majority of trading countries, including the EU, aiming to pressure them for more favorable trade deals. These tariffs have led to an increase in tensions, especially with China, where Trump has imposed a staggering 145% tariff on imports.

Despite claims from Trump's top officials about 18 trade proposals and Washington setting the stage for a deal with China, Beijing has bluntly labeled these claims "groundless." Chinese authorities have emphasized that there are no ongoing economic and trade negotiations with the U.S. at the moment.

Similarly, France's economy minister, Eric Lombard, has revealed that the EU and the United States are still a long way from reaching a deal on tariffs. Despite this, Lombard highlighted a positive rapport with U.S. officials during their discussions, expressing a shared desire to move forward quickly.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned that Washington and Beijing are not yet speaking about lowering tariffs, stressing that they need to be significantly reduced before any official trade talks can take place. In retaliation to Trump's latest tariffs on Chinese imports, Beijing has imposed fresh 125% levies on American goods this year.

Trump's unpredictable approach to tariffs has caused market turbulence, with Washington announcing steep duties before subsequently making carveouts in recent months, including a temporary exemption for tech products like smartphones from his "reciprocal tariffs."

On another note, the White House is reportedly considering streamlining overlaps between tariffs on automobiles, steel, aluminum, and those imposed over illicit fentanyl, but no final decisions have been made. Negotiations with other trading partners like India and South Korea seem to be ongoing, but specific updates are not readily available.

In summary, while the EU and the U.S. continue to engage in negotiations aimed at reducing tariffs, discussions with China remain stagnant. Meanwhile, the status of trade talks with India and South Korea is not clear at this time, as recent updates are not readily available in the public domain.

  1. Trump's national tariffs on a majority of trading countries, including the EU, have stressed the world trade, particularly with China, where a 145% tariff has been imposed.
  2. AI and tech products like smartphones have received temporary exemptions from Trump's "reciprocal tariffs" in recent months, indicating some carveouts.
  3. Politics is heated up by Trump's policies on tariffs, leading to war-and-conflicts in the world of trade, affecting policy-and-legislation.
  4. Car-accidents in our general news are not directly linked to Trump's tariffs, but market turbulence caused by them might indirectly impact car sales.
  5. Crime-and-justice has been somewhat distant from Trump's trade tariffs, but the unpredictability of his decisions has put a strain on international relations.
  6. Tariffs on a variety of goods, including automobiles, steel, aluminum, and those imposed over illicit fentanyl, may undergo a streamlining process within the White House.
  7. Accidents, whether car or otherwise, are not directly connected to the ongoing trade tensions, but the economic fallout from tariffs could lead to broader impacts.
  8. Fires, as they are natural disasters and not man-made, are not influenced by trade tariffs, nor does Trump's policy on tariffs address fire-related issues.
  9. Trump's recent promises to reduce tariffs remain groundless, as Washington and Beijing are not yet speaking about lowering them, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
  10. Beijing is bluntly labeling Trump's claims of 18 trade proposals as "groundless," and there are no ongoing economic and trade negotiations with the U.S. at the moment, as emphasized by Chinese authorities.
Trump's pursuit of trade deals with significant partners faces setbacks, as a French official declares an accord with the EU is distant, and China denies any negotiations have initiated. Since reinstatement in January, Trump has implemented tariffs on 10...

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