Trump equates letters with trade deals amid ongoing negotiations

In the United States, ongoing trade negotiations have reached a standstill as Donald Trump adjusts his expectations regarding completed trade agreements. Initially, Trump had set an ambitious goal of reaching numerous deals with several countries, believing he could finalize them within a few months. However, as the deadline for 'reciprocal' tariffs approached on August 1, it became evident that only a minimal number of agreements had been reached, significantly fewer than he anticipated. By early July 2025, negotiations with the European Union were in their advanced stages, with expectations of an impending framework agreement to prevent tariff escalations. Trump had also sent new letters outlining tariffs to various countries, solidifying a hardline stance against nations he accused of contributing to trade imbalances. This lack of actual finalized deals led to Trump redefining what constitutes a 'trade deal', suggesting that his communication in the form of letters should be considered agreements. This redefinition has raised questions regarding the nature of trade negotiations and how agreements should be approached, given the complexities involved in actual negotiations versus unilateral decisions made by the Trump administration. Consequently, there is rising concern about whether these developments will strengthen or weaken international economic relations moving forward.