White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the Trump administration has "18 proposals on paper" for new trade deals. The news follows fresh tariffs aimed at boosting American leverage.
"I spoke to our entire trade team this morning. There is a lot of progress being made," Leavitt said. "We now have 18 proposals on paper that have been brought to the trade team."
Countries have submitted these proposals directly to the Trump administration. "These are proposals on paper... to our government," she emphasized.
Leavitt listed the key players driving trade talks: "Secretary Bessent, Secretary Lutnick, Ambassador Greer, NEC Director Hassett and Peter Navarro." She added, "The entire trade team [is] meeting with 34 countries this week alone."
She credited the quick pace to what she called “Trump speed.” The goal, she said, is to land deals that benefit “the American worker and the American people.”
A potential deal with China could be on the horizon. “I asked the president about this before coming out here," Leavitt said. "We’re doing very well in respect to a potential trade deal with China.”
According to Leavitt, over 100 countries want to strike deals with the U.S. “There have now been 18 proposals and more than 100 countries... wanting to make a deal,” she said.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told an investor summit Tuesday that a deal with China might be necessary. He believes the current standoff isn’t sustainable for either side.
A source at the summit told Fox News that no talks have begun, but a deal is possible. Leavitt added, "We feel everyone involved wants to see a trade deal happen and the ball is moving in the right direction."