The United States, according to media reports, is facing significant challenges in securing so many trade deals within a short span of 90 days during which reciprocal tariffs have to be set.

While the markets wait for trade negotiations with 90 countries at the same time, global trading is grinding to a standstill with problems similar to what we saw during Covid-19, writes Chief Economist at investment firm Apollo Global Management, Torsten Slok, online.

Mr Slok recalled that, on average, trade deals signed by the United States have taken 18 months to negotiate and 45 months to implement. Towards the end of April, according to the White House press secretary, the Trump administration had received 18 proposals on paper, and the US trade team was meeting with the officials of 34 countries in a single week.

Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said recently that following President Trump’s ann­ouncement of new tariffs, Pak­istan’s ambassador in Washing­ton contacted the United States Trade Representative the very next day. “Now a delegation will come for formal talks. The date of the visit will be decided after I return to Islamabad,” he added.

Finance minister emphasises that addressing the trade imbalance with the US is more important than the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs

Analysts expect the US to give priority to negotiations for trade deals with countries such as........

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