Some US trade deals could be reached in weeks, USTR Greer says 

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration expects to conclude initial tariff deals with some US trading partners within weeks, but negotiations with India are not “finish-line close” and no official talks with China are under way, US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer said on Wednesday.

Mr. Greer told Fox News Channel that the Trump administration is focused on “targeted” deals aimed at increased market access for US exports, reducing tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers, and enhancing US economic security.

“I would say that we have deals that are, that are close,” Mr. Greer said. “As the negotiator, I don’t like to negotiate in public, but I will say we’re talking about a matter of weeks and not months, to have some initial deals announced.”

In recent days, Trump officials have said that a deal with one key unnamed trading partner had been reached but needs approval by the country’s parliament and prime minister. Asked whether a deal with India was imminent, Mr. Greer said it was not “finish-line close, but I have a standing call with India’s trade minister.” He also cited frequent US-India meetings in recent days.

Mr. Greer said he would meet with representatives from Japan, Guyana and Saudi Arabia on Thursday and the Philippines on Friday and is working closely with South Korea and Britain.

Mr. Greer said he is telling counterparts that they should reduce tariff levels and “take down your non-tariff barriers that stop me from sending my industrial and ag (agriculture) to your country.” The US is also asking them to level the playing field in digital trade, intellectual property rights, labor and environmental standards, he said.

But with a record $1.2-trillion trade deficit last year, he said the US will want to keep some level of higher tariffs “until that’s resolved.”

He said there were no official talks with China taking place, although he held a call with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng announcing steep reciprocal tariffs on April 2. Mr. Greer said the Trump administration wants fair trade with China.

“Instead of having an economy that’s financed by the government, we want to make real stuff and sell it, and it means we have to deal with foreign trade practices that are harmful, including in China,” Greer said. — Reuters