Trump says trade deal with China could be matter of 3-4 weeks

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump has said he believes a trade agreement with China could be finalised within three to four weeks, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

"I would think over the next three or four weeks, I think maybe the whole thing could be concluded," Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday when asked how long it would take to sign a deal with China.

Meanwhile, trade tariffs imposed by the US government and Canada's refusal to import American wine could be disastrous for US wine producers, NBC News reported, citing industry representatives.

The American wine industry has lost significant income from exporting its products to Canada, which was the largest importer of US wine in the world, the report said on Thursday. The report recalled that last month, Canada began a boycott of American alcohol, removing it from store shelves and restaurants across the country.

In addition, the tariffs could lead to problems with purchasing goods necessary for the wine production, the report said, adding that prices for bottles purchased in China could become exorbitant. In addition, the tariffs will also affect the cost of wine barrels purchased in France, as well as corks from Spain.

On April 2, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that implemented reciprocal tariffs on imports from various countries. The base tariff rate was established at 10 per cent, with higher rates applied to 57 countries based on the US trade deficit with each specific nation. On April 9, Trump declared that a baseline tariff of 10 per cent would be imposed for 90 days on over 75 countries that had not retaliated and had requested negotiations, except for China.

Meanwhile, Trump said he plans to visit the United Kingdom in September for a meeting with King Charles III.

"I was invited by the king [Charles III] and by the country, great country. They're going to do a second fest ... I think they're setting a date for September," Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday.

Asked about the Florida State University shooting, Trump said he remains a big advocate of the Second Amendment, which allows Americans to keep arms.

"I'm a big advocate of the Second Amendment. I have been from the beginning. I protected it, and these things are terrible, but the gun doesn't do the shooting - the people do," Trump said.

He added that he has an obligation to protect the Second Amendment. - BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI