WASHINGTON, D.C. – As global economic uncertainty deepens and tariff tensions escalate, the Trump administration is moving at breakneck speed to negotiate piecemeal trade deals with over 70 countries, aiming to stave off the impact of sweeping U.S. tariffs. But sources close to the matter say these efforts are shaping up to be less than comprehensive, with written commitments or ad hoc term sheets replacing the full-scale free trade agreements (FTAs) that typically require congressional approval and years of negotiation.
This rapid strategy marks a significant departure from conventional trade diplomacy and reveals the White House’s focus on short-term economic wins over long-term institutional frameworks.
What’s Driving the Rush?
At the heart of this campaign is the looming July 8 tariff enforcement deadline, when many of President Donald Trump’s new reciprocal tariffs on imported goods from dozens of countries are set to take effect. Facing backlash from allies and trade partners alike, the Trump team has opened channels with a growing list of countries that hope to avoid the brunt of these duties.
According to multiple insiders, many countries—spanning Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa—have submitted initial expressions of interest or requests for negotiations, though very few have advanced to the stage of concrete proposals.
“A lot of what’s being touted as ‘offers’ are really just exploratory talks,” said one source with knowledge of the discussions. “They’re phone calls, early-stage diplomatic feelers—definitely not ready-to-sign trade agreements.”
Term Sheets, Not Treaties
Rather than negotiating fully-fledged FTAs, which would require lengthy legal reviews, congressional approval, and often years of talks, the Trump administration appears content with written commitments or memoranda of understanding (MoUs)—akin to term sheets in business deals.
Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), who served as Trump’s ambassador to Japan, confirmed that the current strategy involves seeking “preliminary economic reform commitments” from partner nations.
“The president is looking for tangible deliverables. If a country agrees to lower tariffs or buy more U.S. agricultural goods, we’ll take that as progress,” Hagerty said.
The idea is to cut red tape, expedite results, and bypass legislative gridlock—allowing Trump to showcase trade victories ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, where economic performance will be a key issue.
Global Reaction
Many countries are uncertain about what the U.S. is truly offering in return for these rapid-fire arrangements. While Washington is demanding tariff reductions and increased purchases of American goods, it’s not clear whether the U.S. will reciprocate by lifting its own new tariffs—or even allow exemptions.
A senior official from a European country involved in discussions said:
“We’re being asked to make economic concessions on the basis of verbal assurances. That’s not how we usually do trade.”
Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries reportedly in active, though preliminary, dialogue with U.S. trade representatives.
Economic Impact: A Fragmented Framework
Trade experts warn that while these piecemeal deals might create short-term tariff relief, they risk creating a patchwork system that undermines global trade norms.
“This strategy lacks transparency, consistency, and legal robustness,” said Mireya Solís, director of the Center for East Asia Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution. “It leaves key questions unanswered: Will these deals be enforceable? What happens if they’re violated?”
Critics also note that without congressional oversight, these agreements may not be legally binding, and could be reversed by future administrations, thus offering little certainty to businesses and investors.
Domestic Strategy: Economic Wins for Political Points
For Trump, the piecemeal approach offers a chance to showcase victories in an otherwise volatile economic environment. With inflation concerns rising, supply chains stressed, and China-U.S. relations deteriorating, the administration is eager to demonstrate that it can extract economic concessions through tough negotiation—even if they don’t come in the form of formal treaties.
“President Trump believes in aggressive deal-making,” said a senior White House official. “If countries want tariff exemptions, they need to offer something in return—simple as that.”
The administration has reportedly asked negotiating countries to prioritize purchases of U.S. agricultural exports, energy products, and high-tech equipment, particularly in sectors where American industries have suffered from prior trade imbalances.
Key Sectors in Focus
The informal deals currently under negotiation target several strategic sectors, including:
- Agriculture: Countries are being encouraged to import more U.S. soybeans, corn, pork, and dairy.
- Energy: Exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil are being promoted as part of U.S. energy diplomacy.
- Technology: The administration is pushing for reduced restrictions on U.S. tech products, especially in data infrastructure and semiconductors.
- Aviation and Defense: Nations negotiating tariff relief may be offered deals on American military hardware and aircraft.
These sector-specific gains may be highlighted by the administration in the coming months as evidence of trade success, even if the broader system remains fractured.
What Comes Next?
With the July 8 deadline looming, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and other key negotiators are expected to intensify bilateral dialogues, seeking quick wins before the new tariffs officially hit.
However, legal experts caution that ad hoc deals without legislative backing may face challenges, particularly if countries accuse the U.S. of violating World Trade Organization (WTO) norms or sidestepping existing commitments.
“This may provide political optics, but the underlying legal and structural weaknesses could create bigger problems down the road,” said Scott Lincicome, a trade policy expert at the Cato Institute.
Conclusion: Fast Deals, Long-Term Uncertainty
The Trump administration’s race to strike piecemeal trade agreements with more than 70 countries reflects a dramatic shift in U.S. trade policy—from rules-based frameworks to transactional deal-making.
While it may generate short-term economic headlines and offer temporary tariff relief for some, the lack of consistency, transparency, and legal durability raises questions about whether this approach will strengthen or weaken America’s global economic leadership in the long run.
As the deadline nears and negotiations continue, businesses, diplomats, and policymakers around the world are watching closely—wondering whether this is a bold new trade paradigm or just a stopgap with global consequences.
