2025-04-28 16:45
publication
2025-04-28 16:45
US finance minister Scott Bessent announced on Monday in interviews for CNBC and Fox News that the conclusion of commercial agreements with certain countries will take place soon, and China send signals that they want to negotiate in the case of customs, which is why “empty shelves” in America are not worried.
The first trade agreements can be signed this or next week. One of them will be “Deal with India”, and President Donald Trump will be “deeply involved in every (from these agreements)”. In addition, “all levels of the government” in Washington are in contact with Beijing – said the minister.
Many of the most important trading partners have submitted “very good” contracts to avoid American duties. The US also conducts “very specific” commercial negotiations with Japan and other Asia countries – Bessent said.
When asked if he was going to call his Chinese counterpart, he replied: “We'll see what will happen.” “Maybe they will call me one day. (…) I think China should de -make (trade war), because they sell us five times more than we sell them” – he assessed.
Europe is afraid?
The minister also said that European countries are probably “panic” due to the increase in the euro exchange rate. The CNBC business channel, which Bessent gave an interview, reminds that after Trump's chaotic decisions regarding euro duties, nearly 10 percent gained a dollar.
“You will see that (European central bank) will start cutting (percentage) to try to weaken the euro. (…) Europeans do not want a strong euro. We have a strong dollar policy” – said Bessent.
Trump's policy caused investors to run away from the dollar to other safe currencies. However, a significant strengthening of the euro would adversely affect European exports.
As CNBC reminds, the Trump administration sends contradictory signals about the state of possible agreements and negotiations with US trade partners regarding customs duties, and sometimes its declarations pass the truth – as last week, when the president said that he was talking with representatives of China who came to Washington for the spring session of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The White House announced that Bessent briefing for journalists will be organized on Tuesday.
Trump has recently changed the tons of statements about China many times – he emphasized good relations with the chairman of the PRC XI Jinping, expressed hope for lowering customs and a commercial agreement with Beijing, and also claimed that talks on this topic are ongoing. He also said that he would not “play hard” with China, but he would be “nice” for them, but then warned Beijing that he would not allow China to sell fentanyl precursors. He also suggested that the Boeing concern would sue the Chinese partner for suspending the import of ordered aircraft.
On Thursday, contrary to Trump's declarations, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied that any talks with the USA in commercial matters were taking place and signaled that to start them, the abolition of “unilateral” duties imposed by Washington. (PAP)
Fit/ Szm/
arch.
