White House seeks trade deals, withhold country names

The Trump administration is navigating a shift in its trade negotiation strategy, as President Trump has announced a temporary pause on tariffs for over 75 countries. Despite these claims, the White House has refused to disclose the names of the countries involved, leading to questions and skepticism about the administration's transparency. Key officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have praised Trump's approach, citing the increased interest from international partners, but have not clarified which nations are seeking deals. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, affirmed that while there are more than 75 countries interested, only about 15 have made explicit offers. This lack of disclosure has raised concerns among observers regarding the legitimacy of the reported negotiations. The situation is further complicated by ongoing tensions with China, where tariffs have been significantly increased.