Bessent mentioned the administration was “near a number of offers”.
“I might anticipate to see a number of huge bulletins over the subsequent couple of days,” he mentioned.
However he wouldn’t say which international locations he was referring to, including: “I do not need to allow them to off the hook.”
As his July 9 deadline approaches, Trump has repeatedly mentioned he plans to tell international locations of US tariff charges by sending them letters.
Aboard Air Pressure One on Friday, Trump mentioned sending notices can be a lot simpler than “sitting down and dealing 15 various things … that is what you must pay, if you wish to do enterprise (with) the US.”
Bessent pushed again at CNN host Dana Bash’s assertion the administration was utilizing threats relatively than negotiations, and denied that Trump was setting a brand new deadline with the Aug 1 date.
“It isn’t a brand new deadline. We’re saying, that is when it is taking place. If you wish to velocity issues up, have at it. If you wish to return to the previous charge, that is your alternative,” he mentioned.
He mentioned the playbook was to use “most strain” and cited the European Union for instance, saying they’re “making superb progress” after a sluggish begin.
EU and US negotiators are holding talks over the weekend, and France’s finance minister mentioned on Saturday he hoped they may strike a deal this weekend.
Different international locations have been nonetheless expressing unease, nevertheless.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba mentioned on Sunday he “will not simply compromise” in commerce talks with Washington.
And BRICS leaders assembly in Rio de Janeiro are anticipated to decry the tariffs on Sunday, saying they’re unlawful and danger hurting the worldwide financial system.
