U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday expressed optimism about ongoing trade discussions, stating that America’s key trading partners, including Japan, remain committed to negotiating in good faith despite a recent court ruling against the Trump-era tariffs. The ruling, which challenged the legality of the administration’s latest trade measures, has not altered the cooperative tone among international stakeholders.
Bessent emphasized that the ruling has not disrupted dialogue or discouraged foreign delegations from seeking constructive outcomes. “We’ve seen no change in their attitude in the past 48 hours,” he noted, underlining that negotiations are still active and forward-looking. He revealed that a significant delegation from Japan was scheduled to visit his office the following morning, a sign that discussions remain robust.
Focus on Finalizing Agreements Within 90-Day Window
The Treasury Secretary highlighted that most U.S. trade talks partners are working to finalize agreements before the conclusion of a 90-day negotiation period. This window has been presented as an opportunity to reframe trade relationships and avoid the imposition of new tariffs, especially in light of shifting legal interpretations and global economic uncertainties.
Bessent’s comments serve to reassure markets and stakeholders that international collaboration remains intact and that partners are eager to reach resolutions. “They are coming to us in good faith and trying to complete the deals before the 90-day pause ends,” he said. The mention of active scheduling and upcoming meetings reinforces the notion that, despite legal setbacks, diplomatic and trade channels remain wide open.
Progress with China Slower, But Dialogue Expected to Resume
However, Bessent acknowledged that U.S. trade talks with China have experienced some delays. While discussions with countries like Japan are progressing smoothly, the Secretary admitted that negotiations with Beijing have “stalled a bit.” Despite the slowdown, he remains optimistic, indicating that further engagement is expected in the coming weeks.
“I expect more talks with Chinese officials soon,” Bessent said, suggesting that while the pace may be slower, diplomatic lines remain open. The cautious but hopeful tone reflects the complex nature of U.S.-China trade relations, which have often been fraught with tension and mutual skepticism.
In summary, Bessent’s statements present a balanced picture of current U.S. trade talks dynamics: steady progress with key allies, a temporary slowdown with China, and an overall commitment to using the 90-day timeframe to cement fair and mutually beneficial agreements. As trade negotiations continue, all eyes will be on how these dialogues evolve, especially in the aftermath of judicial rulings that challenge previous policy actions.
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