Key Takeaways:
- Trump’s trade negotiations are stuck due to in-fighting among his advisors.
- Advisors are competing for Trump’s approval, causing confusion.
- Trading partners are frustrated by the lack of a clear U.S. position.
- The conflict has shifted attention away from Trump’s trade war.
- Experts doubt the ability of some advisors to secure meaningful deals.
Trump’s Trade Talks Stall as Advisors Clash
President Donald Trump’s trade war has taken a backseat, but not because negotiations are going smoothly. Instead, his attack on Iran has overshadowed the struggles in trade talks. Behind the scenes, Trump’s advisors are fighting among themselves, causing confusion and slowing down progress. This infighting has left America’s trading partners baffled and frustrated.
Why Trade Talks Are Stuck
Three key advisors—U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick—are supposed to lead trade negotiations. But instead of working together, they’re competing for Trump’s approval. This has created chaos, with each advisor pushing their own ideas without coordinating with the others.
An Asian diplomat shared their frustration, saying, “We’ve been shuffled around. There’s no single voice representing the U.S. in these talks.” This confusion has made it hard to reach any meaningful agreements.
Who’s Causing the Confusion?
The problem starts with the advisors themselves. Each one has slightly different opinions on how to handle trade deals. For instance, during a recent negotiation, they reportedly had conflicting views. “It was a bit confusing,” said one insider. “It feels like a loyalty contest. They’re all trying to give Trump what he wants most.”
Experts like Derek Scissors of the American Enterprise Institute believe this lack of teamwork is a major issue. “I don’t think Secretaries Bessent or Lutnick have the expertise to negotiate a detailed agreement with China,” Scissors said. “Greer might be capable, but he’s the least influential of the three.”
Trading Partners Are Frustrated
Foreign negotiators, especially those from Japan, are particularly annoyed. “Why does the trio of Bessent, Greer, and Lutnick need to meet with one minister?” one participant asked. “It’s unclear who actually speaks for Trump.”
This confusion has led to stalled negotiations. “Foreign delegations are struggling because they don’t know who to take seriously,” said Inu Manak of the Council on Foreign Relations. “Commerce, Treasury, and USTR are negotiating different things without keeping each other in the loop. It’s not working at all.”
Why This Matters
The chaos in Trump’s trade team has real-world consequences. Without a unified strategy, the U.S. can’t make progress on critical trade deals. This not only hurts America’s economy but also weakens its influence on the global stage.
The situation has also shifted attention away from Trump’s trade war, which might be a relief for him politically. However, the lack of progress could eventually backfire, leaving the U.S. with no clear victories on trade.
The Bigger Picture
The confusion in Trump’s trade negotiations reflects a broader issue in his administration: a lack of clear communication and teamwork. Advisors are more focused on pleasing Trump than working together for the country’s benefit.
As the U.S. deals with growing tensions abroad, this internal chaos could have lasting impacts. Whether it’s trade or national security, a divided team makes it harder to achieve meaningful results.
For now, the world waits to see if Trump’s advisors can get on the same page. Until then, trade talks will remain stuck, and the U.S. will struggle to secure the deals it needs.