Trump Administration’s Aggressive Trade Tactics Yield Partial Deals Amid Tariff Escalation

Senior TRUMP advisers orchestrated a high-pressure campaign to fast-track trade agreements, leveraging tariff threats as their primary weapon. Stephen Miran, a key economic advisor, delivered ultimatums to European leaders in May and June, warning of steep tariffs unless negotiations progressed. The strategy produced a tariff truce with China and preliminary pacts with the EU, Japan, and South Korea—while simultaneously imposing the highest U.S. tariff rates since the 1930s.

Parallel negotiations led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer focused on securing investment pledges and policy-aligned tariffs. The WHITE House prioritized rapid, non-binding agreements over traditional lengthy trade deals—a approach Kush Desai, a spokesman, hailed as delivering "historic" wins for domestic industries. Over 100 countries now face increased duties as the administration reshapes global trade dynamics through brinkmanship.