Trump's Trade Deal Claims Face Growing Scrutiny Amid Uncertainty

President Donald Trump has claimed to have made hundreds of trade deals as part of his tariff policy, but members of his own administration have clarified that no concrete deals have been reached, and the numbers cited by Trump refer more to ongoing negotiations than actual agreements. Trump has kept a 10 percent tariff in place for most countries and paused higher tariffs for 90 days to allow time for negotiations, insisting that the U.S. holds a strong bargaining position. However, foreign officials and finance ministers remain unclear about the Trump administration's goals, with many allies and trading partners unsure who to negotiate with or what outcomes are being sought. Efforts to reach new agreements with countries like the UK, Switzerland, South Korea, and the EU are ongoing, but no specific deals have been finalized, and some U.S. administration officials warn against rushing into agreements. Despite Trump's assertions, polls show his tariff policy is unpopular with the majority of Americans, and many trading partners, including China, have denied active negotiations or signaled reluctance to engage under current conditions. Critics argue that the lack of clarity and concrete results could lead to higher prices and shortages for U.S. consumers.