Regulatory Coverage: White House Press Secretary Says Trump Administration Received 18 Trade Deal Proposals, White House ‘Setting the Stage’ for China Talks

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt today said that the Trump administration is making “a lot of progress” on trade negotiations following President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on higher reciprocal tariffs for many trading partners and the 125% reciprocal tariffs on China. Leavitt also said the administration is “setting the stage” for a trade deal with China.

Leavitt said the administration has received “18 proposals on paper” and that members of the administration are meeting with representatives from 34 countries this week. Leavitt highlighted that Vice President JD Vance and India Prime Minister Narenda Modi on April 21 announced a preliminary agreement on the terms of reference for a future trade deal between the United States and India, which she said represents “great progress.”

Leavitt also said that she was directed by Trump to tell reporters that the administration is “doing very well” on a potential trade agreement deal with China. The White House is “setting the stage for a deal with China” and the “ball is moving in the right direction,” she added.

Trump earlier this month imposed a 125% reciprocal tariff in addition to a separate 20% fentanyl tariff on China as well as existing section 301 tariffs on certain Chinese products. Several product categories are exempt from the 125% reciprocal tariff rate and the administration on April 14 granted exceptions for certain consumer electronics. Trump last week said he was hesitant to continue raising tariffs on China.

When asked about Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s remarks from earlier today on his expectation that the tariff standoff with China will de-escalate, Leavitt referred to her earlier remarks on the administration moving toward an agreement but declined to comment further. Leavitt also declined to answer a question about whether Trump had spoken directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

When asked whether Trump would extend the pause on higher reciprocal tariffs for countries that have submitted a proposal but not reached an agreement after the 90-day pause expires on July 9, Leavitt responded, “Ask me in July.” She added that the administration is working at “Trump speed” to negotiate trade agreements.

According to a recent report from Politico, the White House could be nearing an announcement on the broad contours of trade agreements with Japan and India. The report cautioned, however, that many details will still need to be negotiated in the ensuing months.

According to an April 21 fact sheet from the U.S. trade representative on the “terms of reference” for a bilateral agreement with India, the goals for the United States include “increasing market access, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and negotiating a robust set of additional commitments to ensure long-term benefits.” The fact sheet also notes India’s 39% average applied tariff rate on agricultural products as well as “technical barriers to trade, regulatory barriers, and restrictions on access to the market in the services, industrial, and agricultural sectors also reduce U.S. exports to India.”

A delegation from Japan met with the administration last week, which Trump said resulted in “big progress.” Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on April 21 that Japan would not continue conceding to all U.S. demands in order to quickly finish negotiations. Japan Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato is reportedly set to meet with Bessent later this week, according to Reuters.