The Trump administration is pressing countries to submit their “best offers” in trade negotiations by Wednesday, as officials aim to accelerate talks with numerous partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks. This directive is revealed in a draft letter to negotiating partners, which was viewed by Reuters.
The draft document, originating from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), provides insight into how President Donald Trump intends to finalize complex negotiations with dozens of nations. These discussions began on April 9th, when he temporarily halted his “Liberation Day” tariffs for 90 days until July 8th, following a strong negative reaction from stock, bond, and currency markets to the expansive nature of the levies.
The document underscores a clear sense of urgency within the administration to conclude these trade agreements within its tight timeframe. While officials, including White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett, have consistently indicated that several agreements were nearing completion, only one limited pact has been finalized with a major U.S. trading partner so far: Britain. Even that specific agreement was more of a framework for ongoing discussions rather than a definitive deal.
According to the draft, the U.S. is requesting that countries detail their strongest proposals across several key areas. These include offers for tariffs and quotas on U.S. industrial and agricultural products, as well as plans to address any non-tariff barriers to trade.
The letter also requests commitments related to digital trade and economic security, along with specific pledges tailored to individual countries.
The U.S. plans to evaluate these responses within days and will then propose “a possible landing zone,” which could feature a reciprocal tariff rate.
It was not explicitly stated which specific countries would receive this letter. However, it is understood to be directed at those with whom active negotiations are currently underway, involving meetings and the exchange of documents. Nations such as the European Union, Japan, Vietnam, and India are among those currently engaged in active trade discussions with the U.S.
A USTR official confirmed that trade negotiations are proceeding. “Productive negotiations with many key trading partners continue at a rapid pace. It is in all parties’ interest to take stock of progress and assess any next steps,” the official stated.
