The deadline to secure a new U.S. trade deal arrives today, potentially marking a turning point in the country’s economic strategy amid faltering momentum on global agreements and rising international tensions.

In April, President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, promising "90 deals in 90 days."

But four months later, the administration has only announced eight agreements — most of which remain vague in scope.

The shortfall has raised broader concerns about the direction of U.S. trade policy. If countries are not rushing to negotiate with Washington, the question emerges: where are they looking instead?

In Asia, regional powers are already charting a new course. South Korea, China, and Japan held their first economic dialogue in five years this April, aiming to strengthen regional trade ties as all three major exporters brace for the impact of U.S. tariffs.

At the same time, U.S. companies are scaling back operations in China. 

A new survey from the US-China Business Council (USCBC) shows only 48% of U.S. firms plan to invest in China this year — a sharp decline from 80% in 2024. 

The report points to a “steady decline in optimism about China’s economic prospects, alongside growing pessimism about any improvement in U.S.-China relations.”

In Africa, countries such as Uganda are responding by investing in more self-reliant economic models. Some governments also view the global uncertainty as a rare opportunity to push forward long-discussed plans for regional value chains — trade networks that could strengthen intra-African commerce.

South America is also adapting to the shifting landscape. 

With the U.S. and China locked in a tit-for-tat tariff exchange, exporters like Brazil may step in to fill gaps. As one of the world’s top soybean producers, Brazil could expand agricultural exports to China, replacing diminished U.S. supplies.

Trump’s recent deal with the European Union offered a measure of stability. The agreement imposes a reduced 15% tariff on most EU goods and “stabilises relations between two economies that together account for nearly a third of global trade.” Still, the EU continues to pursue new partnerships with India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

As the trade deadline passes, the U.S. faces mounting pressure to clarify its strategy in a rapidly evolving global order.

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