The Trump administration expects to conclude initial tariff deals with some US trading partners within weeks, but negotiations with India are not “finish-line close” and no official talks with China are under way, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Wednesday.
Greer told Fox News Channel that the Trump administration is focused on “targeted” deals aimed at increased market access for US exports, reducing tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers, and enhancing US economic security.
“I would say that we have deals that are, that are close,” Greer said. “As the negotiator, I don’t like to negotiate in public, but I will say we’re talking about a matter of weeks and not months, to have some initial deals announced.”
In recent days, Trump officials have said that a deal with one key unnamed trading partner had been reached but needs approval by the country’s parliament and prime minister.
Asked whether a deal with India was imminent, Greer said it was not “finish-line close, but I have a standing call with India’s trade minister”. He also cited frequent US-India meetings in recent days.
Greer said he would meet representatives from Japan, Guyana and Saudi Arabia on Thursday and the Philippines on Friday and is working closely with South Korea and Britain.
