Trump Administration Targets 90 Trade Deals in 90 Days/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump’s administration has launched an ambitious plan to finalize 90 trade deals in 90 days, hoping to stabilize markets and score quick wins. Experts warn the timeline is unrealistic and logistical challenges abound. Many key diplomatic and trade roles remain vacant, adding pressure on the thinly stretched team.
Trump Trade Plan Challenges: Quick Looks
- Trump administration aims to complete 90 trade deals in 90 days
- Treasury Secretary Bessent will lead negotiations but is abroad as talks begin
- Experts warn the plan lacks staffing, clarity, and feasibility
- Financial markets are nervous, adding pressure for fast wins
- China tensions and lack of unified strategy complicate efforts
- Many high-level trade positions remain unfilled
- U.S. trading partners are skeptical and await real negotiations
Trump Administration Targets 90 Trade Deals in 90 Days
Deep Look
In an audacious move that has startled economists and foreign diplomats alike, President Donald Trump’s administration has pledged to secure 90 trade agreements in just 90 days. The initiative, spearheaded by Trump himself according to aides, is designed to ease economic uncertainty, reassure financial markets, and reset the administration’s trade narrative following a rocky start to the year.
But from day one, the rollout has been met with deep skepticism.
While European Union trade chief Maros Sefcovic is expected in Washington early next week for urgent talks following Trump’s surprise announcement of new tariffs on April 2, key U.S. trade negotiators will be absent. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, identified as Trump’s top tariff strategist, will be in Buenos Aires supporting Argentina’s economic reforms—despite Argentina’s relatively minor $16.3 billion in annual trade with the U.S.
Former U.S. Trade Representative negotiator Wendy Cutler voiced doubts, stating, “There’s no way during this timeframe we’re doing a comprehensive agreement with any of these countries.”
Cutler, now at the Asia Society Policy Institute, emphasized that even simplified agreements take significant time and strategic alignment, which the administration appears to lack. She added that the Trump team may ultimately have to prioritize a handful of countries and extend the timeline for others.
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, however, insists the plan is feasible. Speaking on Fox Business Network, Navarro emphasized that the core team—including USTR Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick—has the capacity to deliver on the president’s timeline.
“We’re going to run 90 deals in 90 days. It’s possible,” he said, adding that Trump himself would act as “chief negotiator.”
Trump’s 90-day clock began ticking when he paused the implementation of higher tariffs on several countries, following a market downturn fueled by fears of recession, inflation, and escalating trade wars. The pause, he said, gives countries a chance to negotiate bilateral deals with the U.S.
Restoring financial market confidence is a critical goal. Over the past week, investor anxiety led to a sell-off in U.S. Treasury securities, driving interest rates higher and weakening the dollar. Meanwhile, gold prices surged to record levels, a traditional indicator of investor unease.
“The onus is going to be on them to show that they can quickly conclude agreements,” Cutler said. She stressed that fast, visible successes will be key to stabilizing both markets and the confidence of trading partners.
One major roadblock: escalating tensions with China. Beijing has retaliated with tariffs matching the U.S.’s latest actions, and there’s no indication they’ll be part of the 90-day negotiation push. This adds a layer of unpredictability to an already chaotic process.
Experts also point to historical context as a reality check. For example, Trump’s renegotiation of the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement—which only tweaked steel and auto provisions—took more than eight months. The larger U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement required over two years of negotiations.
Yet Greer remains optimistic. “We can get to a point where the president can close these deals. If there’s a good one, he’ll take it. If not, the tariff stands,” he told Fox News.
Despite such reassurances, the Trump administration faces logistical challenges. Many senior trade positions remain unfilled. The Treasury Department only has one Senate-confirmed senior official besides Bessent, while the USTR is relying heavily on career staff. Critical posts, like undersecretary for international affairs, haven’t even been nominated.
Diplomatic sources also note the inconsistency of U.S. messaging. “There’s no single set of talking points. It’s not really negotiations—it’s more like discussions,” one said.
So far, countries such as Britain and Australia have engaged in ongoing conversations with the administration, but results have been minimal. Skepticism remains high, especially among allies waiting for clarity on U.S. policy direction.
With time ticking and market pressures mounting, the success of Trump’s 90-deal sprint remains uncertain. For now, all eyes are on whether the president’s team can turn ambition into action—or whether the promise will join a long list of unrealized campaign-era targets.
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