Commerce Secretary Lutnick says one trade deal is done, but waiting on approval from unnamed country’s leaders

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Tuesday (April 29) that the Donald Trump administration has reached its first new trade agreement, though it is not yet finalised. Lutnick declined to identify the country involved, noting that the deal still requires approval from the foreign government.”I have a deal done, done, done, done, but I need to wait for their prime minister and their parliament to give its approval, which I expect shortly,” Lutnick told CNBC’s Brian Sullivan during an interview. Markets rallied following the remarks, with investors closely watching for movement on the administration’s trade agenda.
Lutnick clarified that the agreement does not involve China. “My portfolio is the rest of the world’s trade deals,” he said, adding that China-related negotiations fall under Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s responsibilities.
Also Read: Billionaire investor William Ackman accuses Lutnick of profiting from tariff war before retreatingThe comments come nearly a month after President Donald Trump launched sweeping tariff increases on most countries—a move branded “Liberation Day.” While some levies have been paused for 90 days, tariffs on Chinese imports have risen above 100%.

Lutnick gave the interview from Arizona, where he was visiting the construction site of a semiconductor facility. Boosting domestic manufacturing remains a core focus of the Trump administration’s trade and industrial policies.

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