Trump Opens Door for Trade Deal Deadline Extension Amid Ongoing Negotiations

President Donald Trump signaled on Wednesday that he may extend the deadline for international trade negotiations with the United States. Despite this flexibility, he expressed doubts about whether such an extension will be necessary.

During a media interaction, Trump indicated that in one to two weeks, his administration plans to dispatch letters outlining the details of proposed trade agreements. This announcement came prior to his attendance at a performance of “Les Misérables” at the Kennedy Center in Washington alongside the First Lady.

When asked if he would consider extending the July 8 deadline for countries to finalize a trade deal to avoid significant tariffs, Trump affirmed, “I would.” However, he also mentioned that he does not believe such action will be required, stating, “we’re rocking in terms of deals” at the moment.

The Trump administration implemented major tariff policies starting on April 2, impacting nearly all U.S. trading partners. To facilitate negotiations, a 90-day pause was instituted, providing countries with an opportunity to navigate a deal

During his statements to the press before the Kennedy Center event, Trump clarified that the United States is in ongoing discussions with around 15 countries. He stressed that if agreements cannot be achieved, his administration plans to inform these nations about unilateral tariff rates through forthcoming letters.

“We are dealing with Japan. We are dealing with South Korea. We have a lot going on with about 15 countries. But considering we have over 150 trading partners, you cannot make deals with all of them at once,” Trump explained. He reassured that letters would be sent out in about a week and a half to two weeks, detailing the administration’s position.

Additionally, Trump emphasized a firmer approach by stating, “At a certain point, we’re just going to send letters out … saying this is the deal, you can take it or leave it.” This approach reflects the administration’s readiness to move forward unilaterally if negotiations stall.

Anticipation is high surrounding ongoing trade talks with China, which are crucial for the global economy. Recent meetings in London resulted in a preliminary agreement between the two leading economic powers. However, the