WASHINGTON

The White House sought to convey significant momentum on trade talks Tuesday as US President Donald Trump continues to pursue a global trade war that has sent investors scurrying worldwide.

Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said 18 trade proposals are now under review after being offered by foreign countries in the wake of Trump's decision to impose "reciprocal" tariffs on countries around the world.

"There is a lot of progress being made. We now have 18 proposals on paper that have been brought to the trade team," Leavitt told reporters. "Again, these are proposals on paper that countries have proposed to the Trump administration and to our government."

Senior Trump administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and others are expected to hold meetings with representatives from 34 countries this week, said Leavitt.

"We are moving at Trump speed to ensure these deals are made on behalf of the American worker and the American people," she said.

The negotiations come as Trump gives dozens of nations a 90-day reprieve from tariffs above his 10% baseline to negotiate trade deals. Administration officials have said they believe they can negotiate and finalize 90 different deals within that timeframe, a herculean task complicated by the thorny and complex nature of trade talks.

Asked about trade talks with China, which is facing tariffs of up to 245% on some goods exported to the US, Leavitt said "the president and the administration are setting the stage" for a trade deal with China.

"We feel everyone involved wants to see a trade deal happen, and the ball is moving in the right direction," she said.