Are the tariffs a reality show aimed at Americans, a way to gain the upper hand on China, or just a distraction from sector-specific duties?
The conclusion of US President Donald Trump’s 90-day window for reciprocal tariff negotiations has arrived with more of a whimper than a bang. Letters have been delivered to 14 trade partners, basically reconfirming the April tariff levels or making slight adjustments, and then extending the negotiating deadline to August 1. To date, the total number of trade deals concluded stands at two – with Vietnam and Britain – not including the “framework” agreement with China.
As the negotiations unfolded, the Trump administration progressed through three distinct phases in its approach.
