Trump accelerates trade deals: UK and China move forward, EU and Asia wait their turn

The Donald Trump administration in the United States has intensified its trade agreement agenda, reaching significant agreements with the United Kingdom and a partial tariff truce with China. Meanwhile, other major economic blocs and nations such as the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and India remain on the sidelines, waiting for their turn at the negotiating table.

Closed deals: UK and China top the list

The most notable development to date is the agreement with the United Kingdom. This pact establishes a basic tariff of 10% for most British exports to the United States. However, it includes specific reductions for key sectors such as the automotive sector, where the first 100.000 British vehicles imported annually will pay only 10%, while surplus vehicles will face 25%. Furthermore, the tariff on British steel and aluminum has been eliminated and the US market has been opened to 13.000 metric tons of tariff-free British beef. President Trump hailed this agreement as "fantastic" y "marvelous".

On the Asian front, what is described as a temporary truce has been reached with China. Under this agreement, US tariffs, which reached 145% on most Chinese imports (including sensitive products like fentanyl), are reduced to 30%. In return, China lowers its tariffs from 125% to 10% on US products. Both sides have publicly acknowledged “the importance of a sustainable, long-term, and mutually beneficial economic and trade relationship”Trump referred to this as a “important agreement (…) in the process of formation”.

In the waiting room: The European Union, Japan, South Korea, India and more

The European Union is in a waiting phase to enter into formal negotiations, following a 90-day grace period during which some tariffs have been suspended. The tension is palpable, as if no agreement is reached, US tariffs could double, rising from 10% to 20% on European exports. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has maintained a firm stance: "I won't sit down with Donald Trump to negotiate tariffs until there's something concrete to negotiate. Nothing is negotiated until everything is negotiated."In another statement, he stressed: “I need to have a package we can discuss and a solution that allows us to reach an agreement.”.

Given the large number of countries interested in negotiating—more than 150 according to Trump—the president announced a new strategy from Abu Dhabi. "We have 150 countries that want to reach an agreement, but you can't see that many. So, in the next two or three weeks, Scott (Bessent) and Howard (Lutnick) will send out letters, basically telling people (…) how much they'll pay to do business in the United States.", Trump said. He added: "I think we'll be very fair. But it's not possible to satisfy the number of people who want to see us.".

In Asia, nations such as Japan, South Korea, India, and Pakistan are also among those waiting their turn to negotiate. Trump has commented that “Things are going very well” with these countries, although definitive agreements have not yet been finalized.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has emphasized the president's central role in these decisions: "As he himself has said, he (Donald Trump) will have the final say on any trade deal.".

Uncertainty and conditions set by Trump

To date, only the United Kingdom and China have reached concrete agreements with the Trump administration, although the agreement with the Asian giant is a temporary truce and the British one is awaiting final details. The European Union and several Asian powers await their opportunity, while the White House prepares a mass communication to outline the conditions for access to the US market. Uncertainty and tariff pressure set the tone for negotiations that Trump assures will be “fair”, but they undoubtedly advance at their own pace and under their own conditions.