UN may cut staff by 20 per cent, internal memo says
The United Nations Secretariat is preparing to cut its $US3.7 billion budget by 20 per cent and slash about 6900 jobs, according to an internal memo.
The directive, which asks staff to detail cuts by June 13, comes amid a financial crisis triggered in part by the United States, which annually funds nearly a quarter of the world body.
In addition to US foreign aid cuts under President Donald Trump that have gutted UN humanitarian agencies, the US owes - for arrears and the current fiscal year - nearly $US1.5 billion.
The memo's author, UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan, did not cite the US failure to pay.
He noted that the cuts are part of a review launched in March dubbed UN80.
"It is an ambitious effort to ensure that the United Nations is fit for purpose to support 21st-century multilateralism, reduce human suffering and build better lives and futures for all," Ramanathan said.
"I count on your co-operation for this collective effort whose aggressive timelines are recognised."
The cuts would take effect on January 1, the start of the next budget cycle.
In public briefings to UN diplomats this month, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he is considering a massive overhaul that would merge major departments and shift resources across the globe.
He said the UN may consolidate some agencies, trim others, move staff to cheaper cities, cut duplication and eliminate redundant bureaucracy.
"These are times of peril, but they are also times of profound opportunity and obligation," Guterres said on May 12. "Make no mistake: uncomfortable and difficult decisions lie ahead. It may be easier and even tempting to ignore them or kick the can down the roads. But that road is a dead end."
The US failure to pay its assessments has also created a liquidity crisis for the UN, a problem exacerbated by China's repeated late payments. Together, the two nations account for more than 40 per cent of UN funding.
In addition, the Trump administration has withdrawn hundreds of millions of dollars in discretionary funds, forcing the abrupt halt of dozens of humanitarian programs that UN officials have said will cost lives.
The proposed US budget for the coming year, which must be approved by Congress, has eliminated or drastically reduced funding for several UN programs, including peacekeeping.
A US State Department spokesperson did not comment on the proposed UN cuts, but said a Trump-ordered study was due by early August.
"Funding for the UN, along with other international organisations, is currently under review," the spokesperson said.
The United Nations Secretariat is preparing to cut its $US3.7 billion budget by 20 per cent and slash about 6900 jobs, according to an internal memo.
The directive, which asks staff to detail cuts by June 13, comes amid a financial crisis triggered in part by the United States, which annually funds nearly a quarter of the world body.
In addition to US foreign aid cuts under President Donald Trump that have gutted UN humanitarian agencies, the US owes - for arrears and the current fiscal year - nearly $US1.5 billion.
The memo's author, UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan, did not cite the US failure to pay.
He noted that the cuts are part of a review launched in March dubbed UN80.
"It is an ambitious effort to ensure that the United Nations is fit for purpose to support 21st-century multilateralism, reduce human suffering and build better lives and futures for all," Ramanathan said.
"I count on your co-operation for this collective effort whose aggressive timelines are recognised."
The cuts would take effect on January 1, the start of the next budget cycle.
In public briefings to UN diplomats this month, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he is considering a massive overhaul that would merge major departments and shift resources across the globe.
He said the UN may consolidate some agencies, trim others, move staff to cheaper cities, cut duplication and eliminate redundant bureaucracy.
"These are times of peril, but they are also times of profound opportunity and obligation," Guterres said on May 12. "Make no mistake: uncomfortable and difficult decisions lie ahead. It may be easier and even tempting to ignore them or kick the can down the roads. But that road is a dead end."
The US failure to pay its assessments has also created a liquidity crisis for the UN, a problem exacerbated by China's repeated late payments. Together, the two nations account for more than 40 per cent of UN funding.
In addition, the Trump administration has withdrawn hundreds of millions of dollars in discretionary funds, forcing the abrupt halt of dozens of humanitarian programs that UN officials have said will cost lives.
The proposed US budget for the coming year, which must be approved by Congress, has eliminated or drastically reduced funding for several UN programs, including peacekeeping.
A US State Department spokesperson did not comment on the proposed UN cuts, but said a Trump-ordered study was due by early August.
"Funding for the UN, along with other international organisations, is currently under review," the spokesperson said.
The United Nations Secretariat is preparing to cut its $US3.7 billion budget by 20 per cent and slash about 6900 jobs, according to an internal memo.
The directive, which asks staff to detail cuts by June 13, comes amid a financial crisis triggered in part by the United States, which annually funds nearly a quarter of the world body.
In addition to US foreign aid cuts under President Donald Trump that have gutted UN humanitarian agencies, the US owes - for arrears and the current fiscal year - nearly $US1.5 billion.
The memo's author, UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan, did not cite the US failure to pay.
He noted that the cuts are part of a review launched in March dubbed UN80.
"It is an ambitious effort to ensure that the United Nations is fit for purpose to support 21st-century multilateralism, reduce human suffering and build better lives and futures for all," Ramanathan said.
"I count on your co-operation for this collective effort whose aggressive timelines are recognised."
The cuts would take effect on January 1, the start of the next budget cycle.
In public briefings to UN diplomats this month, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he is considering a massive overhaul that would merge major departments and shift resources across the globe.
He said the UN may consolidate some agencies, trim others, move staff to cheaper cities, cut duplication and eliminate redundant bureaucracy.
"These are times of peril, but they are also times of profound opportunity and obligation," Guterres said on May 12. "Make no mistake: uncomfortable and difficult decisions lie ahead. It may be easier and even tempting to ignore them or kick the can down the roads. But that road is a dead end."
The US failure to pay its assessments has also created a liquidity crisis for the UN, a problem exacerbated by China's repeated late payments. Together, the two nations account for more than 40 per cent of UN funding.
In addition, the Trump administration has withdrawn hundreds of millions of dollars in discretionary funds, forcing the abrupt halt of dozens of humanitarian programs that UN officials have said will cost lives.
The proposed US budget for the coming year, which must be approved by Congress, has eliminated or drastically reduced funding for several UN programs, including peacekeeping.
A US State Department spokesperson did not comment on the proposed UN cuts, but said a Trump-ordered study was due by early August.
"Funding for the UN, along with other international organisations, is currently under review," the spokesperson said.
The United Nations Secretariat is preparing to cut its $US3.7 billion budget by 20 per cent and slash about 6900 jobs, according to an internal memo.
The directive, which asks staff to detail cuts by June 13, comes amid a financial crisis triggered in part by the United States, which annually funds nearly a quarter of the world body.
In addition to US foreign aid cuts under President Donald Trump that have gutted UN humanitarian agencies, the US owes - for arrears and the current fiscal year - nearly $US1.5 billion.
The memo's author, UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan, did not cite the US failure to pay.
He noted that the cuts are part of a review launched in March dubbed UN80.
"It is an ambitious effort to ensure that the United Nations is fit for purpose to support 21st-century multilateralism, reduce human suffering and build better lives and futures for all," Ramanathan said.
"I count on your co-operation for this collective effort whose aggressive timelines are recognised."
The cuts would take effect on January 1, the start of the next budget cycle.
In public briefings to UN diplomats this month, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he is considering a massive overhaul that would merge major departments and shift resources across the globe.
He said the UN may consolidate some agencies, trim others, move staff to cheaper cities, cut duplication and eliminate redundant bureaucracy.
"These are times of peril, but they are also times of profound opportunity and obligation," Guterres said on May 12. "Make no mistake: uncomfortable and difficult decisions lie ahead. It may be easier and even tempting to ignore them or kick the can down the roads. But that road is a dead end."
The US failure to pay its assessments has also created a liquidity crisis for the UN, a problem exacerbated by China's repeated late payments. Together, the two nations account for more than 40 per cent of UN funding.
In addition, the Trump administration has withdrawn hundreds of millions of dollars in discretionary funds, forcing the abrupt halt of dozens of humanitarian programs that UN officials have said will cost lives.
The proposed US budget for the coming year, which must be approved by Congress, has eliminated or drastically reduced funding for several UN programs, including peacekeeping.
A US State Department spokesperson did not comment on the proposed UN cuts, but said a Trump-ordered study was due by early August.
"Funding for the UN, along with other international organisations, is currently under review," the spokesperson said.
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West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Australian news and politics live: Greens Leader Larissa Waters responds after Dorinda Cox joins Labor
Scroll down for the latest news and updates. The Prime Minister has confirmed publicly he is seeking to meet with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Canada later this month. Canadian leader Mark Carney invited Anthony Albanese to attend the meeting of global leaders when they spoke shortly after the May 3 election. Mr Albanese confirmed on Tuesday the widely speculated meeting with Mr Trump was being organised to take place in Alberta rather than Washington.. 'That's what we hope to do there,' he told ABC Perth. He said his approach in dealing with Mr Trump was to be 'consistent and clear and unambiguous'. 'That is what I've been. I've had three really constructive discussions with President Trump, but it's important that you don't jump around and take different positions from day to day,' he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is on ABC Perth talking about Dorinda Cox and the North West Shelf. He says Senator Cox had decided after much thought that her values aligned more closely with those of Labor rather than the Greens, leading to her defection. 'We know that the Greens have lost their way,' Mr Albanese said. 'That's one of the reasons why they lost three of their four seats in the House of Representatives, and the domination of issues that certainly aren't environmental have been their concerns.' Asked how someone who has so stridently spoken out against the extension of the North West Shelf project can now be on board with Labor, Mr Ablanese points out the Greens including Senator Cox voted for the safeguard mechanism as the primary way to cut emissions. 'The North West Shelf, like other projects right around Australia, the top 200 emitters, are all subject to that (safeguard mechanism) that requires emissions to be brought down each and every year or to be offset as part of getting to net zero,' he said. 'We have not just a policy of net zero. We have a plan to get there… You can't change the way that the economy functions through just good will or good thoughts.' Having worked as a delivery driver at Pizza Hut, as a cleaner, in a newsagency and at a call centre, Sally McManus used to depend on an award wage. Now, the 53-year-old firebrand leading Australia's top union body is calling for a 4.5 per cent pay rise for nearly 3 million workers who live pay-to-pay on an industry award or minimum wage. The Fair Work Commission will on Tuesday release its annual wage review decision. Ms McManus says it's essential the nation's lowest-paid workers receive a pay rise above inflation. 'It's about whether you can keep up with your bills or not, it's whether or not your life gets slightly better, whether it stays the same or whether it goes backwards. It's everything,' she tells AAP. 'When you're on those wages, you're not saving money. Everything you earn, you spend.' Read the full story here. With two Aboriginal women now having left the Greens, the party is facing questions about its representation and approach to First Nations issues. 'I think there's two very different reasons why those strong First Nations women made the decisions they made. It was definitely their call to make,' she told ABC News Breakfast. 'Senator Thorpe has gone on to be a really strong voice in the Parliament and I'm sure Senator Cox will continue to work for the issues that are meaningful for her,' Waters explained. 'But the Greens remain entirely committed to strong advocacy on truth telling, on treaties, on justice, on healing, on reparations. Our policies are still very firm for First Nations justice and we won't be changing course in that regard.' Read the full story here. The Greens are reeling after WA Senator Dorinda Cox announced her move to Labor, but party leader Larissa Waters says there's no animosity and wishes her well. 'Dorinda spoke for herself yesterday and said her values aligned more closely with the Labor Party. And people need to have values fit with the party they seek to represent,' she told ABC News Breakfast. 'Dorinda called me an hour before her press conference with the Prime Minister. And we had a very calm and measured conversation about it. And I did genuinely wish her all the best. 'There's no animosity there. It's disappointing for us to lose a Greens senator. But Dorinda says her values lie there. You need to be true to yourself, don't you?' Read about Dorinda Cox's surprise move here. Mental ill health and poor father-son relationships have been revealed as key factors that could contribute to men's violence against women. A longitudinal study conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) surveyed men and boys in 2013/14 and again in 2022 for critical insights into factors influencing the use of violence. The research has produced the first national estimate of male intimate partner violence perpetration, with the 2022 study finding more than one-in-three Australian men aged 18 to 65 have used intimate partner violence in their lifetime. This is up from one-in-four men who reported ever having used intimate partner violence among the same cohort surveyed in 2014. The latest study also found an estimated 120,000 men nationally were starting to use violence for the first time each year. Read the full story here.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Who made the gains in May? Goldies hog top spot on the podium
The top 3 commodities for July include gold, copper and lithium DTR takes top spot for biggest monthly stock gain Resource Mining Corp nabs honourable mention With gold prices near record highs and in the vicinity of US$3300/oz, gold explorers and miners continue to crowd the leaderboards for the ASX's top resource stock gainers of May. The biggest winner for the month was goldie Dateline Resources (ASX:DTR), up a frankly quite ridiculous 978%. Worth less than $10 million only a month or two ago, the owner of the 1.1Mo Colosseum gold project in California. More on that below. It was followed by Resource Mining Corporation (ASX:RMI) and Locksley Resources (ASX:LKY) up 460% and 321% respectively. The Donald likes Dateline Much of Dateline's growth can be put down to a shoutout from US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform that got investors excited. DTR owns the 1.1Moz Colosseum gold project, where Trump highlighted the company's rare earths potential, sitting just a few kms from the Mountain Pass mine. The company also released an updated scoping study last week based around a gold price estimate lifted from US$2200/oz in a study compiled in October last year to US$2900/oz. With annual gold production unchanged at 71,000ozpa, that would lift net revenue before tax by 208%from US$398m to US$827m and ups the project's IRR from 31% to 61%. Before tax discounted cashflow would rise 234% to US$550m. Also this week DTR reported possible hidden extensions of gold breccia pipes at the project, pointing to the potential for hidden gold zones beyond historical workings. There's a nice upside emerging, particularly since all 641 historic drill holes targeted only the breccia pipes with surface exposure and large areas of the property remain effectively untested. Most popular commodities in May: Here are the top 50 ASX resources stocks for the month of May Scroll or swipe to reveal table. Click headings to sort. Code Description Last %Mth MktCap XTC XTC Lithium Limited 0.2 19900% $17,528,272 DTR Dateline Resources 0.097 978% $262,956,021 RMI Resource Mining Corp 0.028 460% $21,299,147 LKY Locksley Resources 0.08 321% $9,680,000 SMM Somerset Minerals 0.024 140% $9,722,874 PUA Peak Minerals Ltd 0.021 133% $56,146,426 OCN Oceana lithium 0.059 119% $7,837,294 RML Resolution Minerals 0.017 113% $7,361,016 PEK Peak Rare Earths Ltd 0.255 108% $89,789,736 HRE Heavy Rare Earths 0.041 105% $8,529,389 FRS Forrestania Resources 0.079 103% $25,772,734 HIO Hawsons Iron Ltd 0.026 100% $25,412,534 LLI Loyal Lithium Ltd 0.13 97% $13,095,298 NWC New World Resources 0.047 96% $168,210,882 TMG Trigg Minerals Ltd 0.081 88% $75,757,331 MM1 Midas Minerals 0.28 87% $38,837,399 VTM Victory Metals Ltd 0.88 85% $101,837,524 SPD Southern Palladium 0.415 84% $35,470,500 BTM Breakthrough Minerals 0.125 84% $5,264,545 VRL Verity Resources 0.029 81% $7,742,283 YAR Yari Minerals Ltd 0.009 80% $4,992,403 MEG Megado Minerals Ltd 0.014 75% $5,875,566 CDT Castle Minerals 0.1 72% $11,020,909 CDR Codrus Minerals Ltd 0.034 70% $6,822,235 TAS Tasman Resources Ltd 0.025 67% $3,314,567 BMR Ballymore Resources 0.165 65% $27,393,241 FML Focus Minerals Ltd 0.385 60% $101,728,319 ANX Anax Metals Ltd 0.008 60% $7,062,461 JAL Jameson Resources 0.04 60% $23,207,866 MGU Magnum Mining & Exp 0.008 60% $7,851,556 WTM Waratah Minerals Ltd 0.32 60% $74,723,925 STK Strickland Metals 0.145 56% $316,730,372 FG1 Flynn Gold 0.031 55% $11,348,178 VRX VRX Silica Ltd 0.062 55% $47,080,107 MTM MTM Critical Metals 0.37 54% $151,363,716 BGD Barton Gold Holdings 0.735 52% $158,720,391 AYM Australia United Min 0.003 50% $5,527,732 CMD Cassius Mining Ltd 0.024 50% $16,937,640 CTN Catalina Resources 0.003 50% $8,491,067 OB1 Orbminco Limited 0.0015 50% $4,795,136 RLL Rapid Lithium Ltd 0.003 50% $3,734,834 SER Strategic Energy 0.009 50% $6,039,300 SNX Sierra Nevada Gold 0.027 50% $4,281,137 BKT Black Rock Mining 0.03 50% $44,083,197 NNL Nordicresourcesltd 0.085 49% $14,457,374 TNC True North Copper 0.325 48% $39,010,095 WCN White Cliff Min Ltd 0.028 47% $60,408,040 NMT Neometals Ltd 0.093 45% $69,248,258 CLE Cyclone Metals 0.056 44% $72,396,276 DES Desoto Resources 0.15 43% $27,002,546 Small Cap Standouts Resource Mining Corporation (ASX:RMI) Exploration at the company's Mpanda copper-gold project has been the catalyst for its gains in May, with the company reporting impressive gold and copper grades from rock samples up to 36.7g/t gold and 11.89g/t copper from Kabungu and 13.58% copper and 3.24g/t gold from Stalike. Ten prospects make up the Mpanda Project and RMI believes results to date provide an indicator of the presence of an extensive mineralised system. There have been 16 rock chip samples from small-scale mines gathered within RMC's tenements with five samples exceeding 11g/t gold and two exceeding 10% copper from the Kabungu prospect. Last month the company also reported strong support for a $2m placement at 2.1c per share to accelerate drilling. Plus, looking forward, RMI is also assessing near-term production opportunities at Stalike and Kabungu by utilising nearby existing third-party processing infrastructure. Locksley Resources (ASX:LKY) Locksley saw some great gains in May, following a $1.47m placement at 4c per share to fund an upcoming exploration campaign, including drilling, at the Mojave antimony and rare earths project in California. While waiting for Bureau of Land Management approvals to be granted, the company's exploration team will conduct follow-up mapping and rock chip sampling across high-priority antimony, REE, polymetallic and copper targets. Drilling is expected to begin in the September quarter, and will focus on the El Campo prospect where six holes will be drilled to test TREO of up to 12.1% and the Desert Antimony Mine, with three holes testing high-grade antimony mineralisation of up to 46%. Notably, Mojave is immediately adjacent to MP Materials' high-grade Mountain Pass mine and processing facility, which is the only active REE processor in the US and produces ~15% of global REE supply. REEs and antimony are designated as critical minerals by the US government with the former – particularly magnet REEs – used to manufacture permanent rare earth magnets that are used in electric vehicle motors and wind turbines. Rock chips at Mojave have returned grades of up to 17% while sampling returned high-grade results of between 3.74% and 9.49% total rare earth oxides within a six-metre wide mineralised zone at the El Campo prospect. Somerset Minerals (ASX:SMM) Up 140% for May was Somerset Metals, who completed its acquisition of the Coppermine copper-silver project in Canada, which is adjacent to White Cliff Minerals (ASX:WCN) Rae project. Drilling at the Coronation prospect also kicked off this month, targeting large coincident geophysical and geochemical anomalies only 7km from WCN's Danvers prospect - which recently reported 58m at 3.08% copper from 52m. So far, widespread copper mineralisation has been identified, with assays expected in the next 2-4 weeks. Somerset is particularly confident of strong results since its extensive land package hosts the strike extensions to White Cliff's primary Vision, Stark, Thor, and Rocket districts, and most of the ground surrounding the Danvers prospect. Peak Minerals (ASX:PUA) PUA saw a gain of 133% for the month, thanks in part to intersecting heavy minerals (HM) across a strike length of 28km at the Minta rutile project in Cameroon. The company said the results of up to 3.1m at 8.4% HM, 6.8m at 2.8%, 3.5m at 5.0% and 6.3m at 2.4% from an additional 29 holes of reconnaissance exploration auger drilling confirm the project's significant scale. Not to mention, the initial intercepts are adjacent to the discovery hole of 4m at 1.57% HM which included 4m at 1.05% rutile. 'This second batch of results from the drilling program at the Minta Rutile Project in Cameroon continues to confirm the extensive scale and consistency of heavy mineral mineralisation across the project area,' Peak Minerals CEO Casper Adson said. 'With the Minta Project spanning over 7000km2 and this initial drilling phase covering approximately 50% of the total project area, these findings underscore the substantial potential of this emerging rutile province. 'These results reinforce the scale of the Minta Project, underscoring its potential as a significant new source of rutile and potentially a globally significant rutile province.' We wonder whether there is a case of mistaken identity here. Peak's big lift came around the same time African rare earths developer Peak Rare Earths (ASX:PEK) was taken out at a massive premium for $150.5m by Shenghe Resources. Oceana Lithium (ASX:OCN) Up 119% for May, OCN holds the Napperby project in NT which covers around ~650km2 within within the Northern Arunta pegmatite province. It also has the Solonópole project in Brazil where an exploration licence extension is pending for the promising Nera prospect. This month the company announced commitments to raise $667,000 towards progressing the projects, and to identify and assess new complimentary project opportunities. 'Securing additional funds ensures Oceana is well placed to progress the company's existing assets in Brazil and Australia, as well as continue to assess new project opportunities,' non-executive chairman Martin Helean said. 'We look forward to providing updates on exploration activities across our portfolio in the near term. 'We thank our existing shareholders for their ongoing support, and are pleased to welcome new shareholders to the company.'
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
US gives countries deadline for trade offers: report
US President Donald Trump's administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks, according to a draft letter to negotiating partners seen by Reuters. The draft, from the office of the United States Trade Representative, provides a window into how Trump plans to bring to a close unwieldy negotiations with dozens of countries that kicked off on April 9 when he paused his "Liberation Day" tariffs for 90 days until July 8 after stock, bond and currency markets revolted over the sweeping nature of the levies. The document suggests an urgency within the administration to complete deals against its own tight deadline. While officials such as White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett have repeatedly promised that several agreements were nearing completion, so far only one agreement has been reached with a major US trading partner: the United Kingdom. Even that limited pact was more akin to a framework for ongoing talks than a final deal. According to the draft document, the US is asking countries to list their best proposals in a number of key areas, including tariff and quota offers for purchase of US industrial and agricultural products and plans to remedy any non-tariff barriers. Other requested items include any commitments on digital trade and economic security, along with country-specific commitments, according to the letter. The US will evaluate the responses within days and offer "a possible landing zone" that could include a reciprocal tariff rate, according to the letter. It was unclear to which specific countries the letter would be sent but it was directed at those where negotiations were active and included meetings and exchanges of documents. Active negotiations have been under way with the European Union, Japan, Vietnam and India, among others. A USTR official said trade negotiations were ongoing. "Productive negotiations with many key trading partners continue at a rapid pace. It is in all parties' interest to take stock of progress and assess any next steps." Trump's ambitious - and often frenetic - tariff policy represents a major part of his "America First" economic agenda as he seeks to reshape US trade relationships, reduce trade deficits and protect industries in the United States. Republican lawmakers are also banking on tariffs to add to federal revenue and offset the cost of the tax cut legislation working its way through Congress. US President Donald Trump's administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks, according to a draft letter to negotiating partners seen by Reuters. The draft, from the office of the United States Trade Representative, provides a window into how Trump plans to bring to a close unwieldy negotiations with dozens of countries that kicked off on April 9 when he paused his "Liberation Day" tariffs for 90 days until July 8 after stock, bond and currency markets revolted over the sweeping nature of the levies. The document suggests an urgency within the administration to complete deals against its own tight deadline. While officials such as White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett have repeatedly promised that several agreements were nearing completion, so far only one agreement has been reached with a major US trading partner: the United Kingdom. Even that limited pact was more akin to a framework for ongoing talks than a final deal. According to the draft document, the US is asking countries to list their best proposals in a number of key areas, including tariff and quota offers for purchase of US industrial and agricultural products and plans to remedy any non-tariff barriers. Other requested items include any commitments on digital trade and economic security, along with country-specific commitments, according to the letter. The US will evaluate the responses within days and offer "a possible landing zone" that could include a reciprocal tariff rate, according to the letter. It was unclear to which specific countries the letter would be sent but it was directed at those where negotiations were active and included meetings and exchanges of documents. Active negotiations have been under way with the European Union, Japan, Vietnam and India, among others. A USTR official said trade negotiations were ongoing. "Productive negotiations with many key trading partners continue at a rapid pace. It is in all parties' interest to take stock of progress and assess any next steps." Trump's ambitious - and often frenetic - tariff policy represents a major part of his "America First" economic agenda as he seeks to reshape US trade relationships, reduce trade deficits and protect industries in the United States. Republican lawmakers are also banking on tariffs to add to federal revenue and offset the cost of the tax cut legislation working its way through Congress. US President Donald Trump's administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks, according to a draft letter to negotiating partners seen by Reuters. The draft, from the office of the United States Trade Representative, provides a window into how Trump plans to bring to a close unwieldy negotiations with dozens of countries that kicked off on April 9 when he paused his "Liberation Day" tariffs for 90 days until July 8 after stock, bond and currency markets revolted over the sweeping nature of the levies. The document suggests an urgency within the administration to complete deals against its own tight deadline. While officials such as White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett have repeatedly promised that several agreements were nearing completion, so far only one agreement has been reached with a major US trading partner: the United Kingdom. Even that limited pact was more akin to a framework for ongoing talks than a final deal. According to the draft document, the US is asking countries to list their best proposals in a number of key areas, including tariff and quota offers for purchase of US industrial and agricultural products and plans to remedy any non-tariff barriers. Other requested items include any commitments on digital trade and economic security, along with country-specific commitments, according to the letter. The US will evaluate the responses within days and offer "a possible landing zone" that could include a reciprocal tariff rate, according to the letter. It was unclear to which specific countries the letter would be sent but it was directed at those where negotiations were active and included meetings and exchanges of documents. Active negotiations have been under way with the European Union, Japan, Vietnam and India, among others. A USTR official said trade negotiations were ongoing. "Productive negotiations with many key trading partners continue at a rapid pace. It is in all parties' interest to take stock of progress and assess any next steps." Trump's ambitious - and often frenetic - tariff policy represents a major part of his "America First" economic agenda as he seeks to reshape US trade relationships, reduce trade deficits and protect industries in the United States. Republican lawmakers are also banking on tariffs to add to federal revenue and offset the cost of the tax cut legislation working its way through Congress. US President Donald Trump's administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks, according to a draft letter to negotiating partners seen by Reuters. The draft, from the office of the United States Trade Representative, provides a window into how Trump plans to bring to a close unwieldy negotiations with dozens of countries that kicked off on April 9 when he paused his "Liberation Day" tariffs for 90 days until July 8 after stock, bond and currency markets revolted over the sweeping nature of the levies. The document suggests an urgency within the administration to complete deals against its own tight deadline. While officials such as White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett have repeatedly promised that several agreements were nearing completion, so far only one agreement has been reached with a major US trading partner: the United Kingdom. Even that limited pact was more akin to a framework for ongoing talks than a final deal. According to the draft document, the US is asking countries to list their best proposals in a number of key areas, including tariff and quota offers for purchase of US industrial and agricultural products and plans to remedy any non-tariff barriers. Other requested items include any commitments on digital trade and economic security, along with country-specific commitments, according to the letter. The US will evaluate the responses within days and offer "a possible landing zone" that could include a reciprocal tariff rate, according to the letter. It was unclear to which specific countries the letter would be sent but it was directed at those where negotiations were active and included meetings and exchanges of documents. Active negotiations have been under way with the European Union, Japan, Vietnam and India, among others. A USTR official said trade negotiations were ongoing. "Productive negotiations with many key trading partners continue at a rapid pace. It is in all parties' interest to take stock of progress and assess any next steps." Trump's ambitious - and often frenetic - tariff policy represents a major part of his "America First" economic agenda as he seeks to reshape US trade relationships, reduce trade deficits and protect industries in the United States. Republican lawmakers are also banking on tariffs to add to federal revenue and offset the cost of the tax cut legislation working its way through Congress.
