So maybe, just maybe the week of May 6th, 2025 will be the time to wake up and hear good news about new trade agreements! He signaled that the US is “extremely close to some agreements.” He emphasized ongoing negotiations with India, stating that they were “coming along great” and that the U.S. would “likely have a deal with India.”
Our trade allies THE UNITED KINGDOM And INDIA recently concluded their own bilateral trade agreements. This announcement followed a dramatic escalation of tensions over U.S.-led tariffs. Indeed, Trump’s comments are in line with what many investors and business executives are hoping to hear. They’re particularly hopeful that the Trump administration will strike bilateral deals with other significant trading partners, specifically Japan and South Korea.
Despite this optimism, Trump was often deeply frustrated by what his aides had committed him to. In both cases—and none too subtly—he laid the blame on advisers such as Bessent and the Commerce Secretary for overpromising on trade deals. “I think my people haven’t made it clear, we will sign some deals,” he remarked, pointing to a lack of clarity around the negotiations.
Trump promised more deals to be announced in the next few days. Unfortunately, he did not provide any concrete examples of these agreements. His aides soured many on Wall Street with a habit of confidently announcing that several deals are “close.” Stakeholders cannot afford to be optimistic about trade negotiations going anywhere soon.
Everyone says, ‘when, when, when are you going to sign deals?’ Trump misspoke, showing his frustration at being asked over and over again, when asked, where the deals were coming on an anticipated timetable. He went on to add, “We don’t have to deal, they have to deal with us.” They want a piece of our market. We don’t want a slice of their pie.
Peter Navarro, another of Trump’s top White House aides, went even further. He insisted that the administration is trying “as fast as possible” to complete the trade deal with India. The bigger story is still a mystery. After Trump threatened to cut off trade negotiations, U.S. markets are plummeting.