ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States does not have to sign trade deals with countries, backtracking on a positive trade deal approach.

Noting that he was constantly asked, "‘When, when? When are you going to sign deals?’ We don’t have to sign deals,” Trump said. “They have to sign deals with us. They want a piece of our market. We don’t want a piece of their market,” as he hosted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House and answered questions about trade negotiations.

Trump argued that China makes most of its money in the US and its economy is suffering because it cannot trade with America.

Stating that the US was losing billions of dollars per day in trade when he took office, Trump claimed it is reversing rapidly.

Pointing to tariffs on sectors such as automotive, aluminum and steel, Trump stated that companies have returned to the US with trillions of dollars in investment.

Trump reported that he will evaluate trade agreements with Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in the next two weeks.

“We will sign some deals. But much bigger than that is we’re going to put down the price that people are going to have to pay to shop in the United States," he noted.

Pointing out that the figure the US will determine will be very fair and low, Trump said, “We’re not looking to hurt countries."

Trump's remarks contradicted Bessent's comments about trade deals with other countries, which reflected positivity.

Bessent said negotiations with 17 major trading partners are happening. "I would be surprised if we don't have more than 80% or 90% of those wrapped up by the end of the year," he said, suggesting some deals might be announced "as early as this week."

The goals of the negotiations include substantial reductions in tariffs charged to the US, eliminating non-tariff barriers and addressing currency manipulation and subsidies, said Bessent. "The strategic uncertainty is part of negotiations."