The White House announced Tuesday that 18 countries have submitted formal trade proposals to the Trump administration.
Officials also confirmed that U.S. trade representatives are meeting with 34 countries this week, as the administration works toward new agreements, including a potential deal with China.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt briefed reporters on the surge in trade activity, noting that the administration’s recent tariffs have driven countries to the negotiating table.
“There is a lot of progress being made. We now have 18 proposals on paper that have been brought to the trade team,” Leavitt said. “These are proposals that countries have submitted to the Trump administration and our government.”
Leavitt credited the administration’s rapid pace and coordinated effort by top officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary Howard Lutnick, Ambassador Greer, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, and trade adviser Peter Navarro. “We are moving at Trump speed to ensure these deals are made on behalf of the American worker and the American people,” she said.
Vice President JD Vance is also playing a key role, particularly in talks with India. During a recent trip, Vance and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi established “terms of reference” for a future trade agreement—a framework that Leavitt described as a major step forward.
“That is a big deal,” Leavitt said. “The monetary and non-monetary trade barriers from India have been ripping off the United States and American workers for a long time. The progress being made with India is great news for the country.”
In addition to the proposals already submitted, the administration claims that over 100 countries have expressed interest in making deals with the United States. Leavitt also noted that the president remains optimistic about reaching an agreement with China, despite the ongoing tariff standoff.
“I asked the President about this before coming out here,” Leavitt said. “He wanted me to share with all of you that we’re doing very well in respect to a potential trade deal with China.”
At an investor summit on Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Bessent indicated that while formal negotiations with China have not yet begun, there is a sense of shared urgency. According to attendees, Bessent said the current situation is unsustainable for both sides and that everyone involved wants to see a deal happen.
With more than 30 meetings scheduled this week and dozens of countries lining up to negotiate, the Trump administration is positioning itself as the driving force in reshaping America’s global trade relationships—putting what it calls “America First” at the center of every deal.