UPDATE - US 'highly likely' to delay tariffs for countries negotiating in 'good faith': Treasury Secretary

ADDS TRUMP'S COMMENTS, CHANGES DECK

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that the Trump administration is "highly likely" to delay tariffs on countries engaged in "good faith" trade negotiations with the United States.

Testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee, Bessent said they are working with 18 "important trading partners" toward trade deals.

"It is highly likely that those countries -- or trading blocs, as in the case of the EU -- who are negotiating in good faith, we will roll the day forward to continue good faith negotiations," he said.

"If someone is not negotiating, then we will not," he added.

Speaking to reporters before attending the award-winning musical Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, President Donald Trump dismissed the need for deadline extensions when asked about trade talks.

"I would, but I don't think we're going to have that necessity," he said.

He indicated that he plans to issue ultimatums to countries within weeks, following his approach with the EU.

"At a certain point, we're just going to send letters out...saying this is the deal. You can take it or you can leave it," Trump told reporters. "You don't have to shop in the United States."

Trump said his administration is currently negotiating with approximately 15 countries out of more than 150 potential partners. He plans to send letters outlining deal terms "in about a week and a half, two weeks."

Despite ongoing negotiations with several countries, few agreements have materialized so far.

The US has announced only a formal trade agreement with the UK and a framework agreement with China.

On China, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that the US "is getting a total of 55% tariffs, China is getting 10%" under current arrangements.

The administration continues pursuing bilateral trade deals while maintaining tariff threats as negotiating leverage with reluctant partners.