- by foxnews
- 19 May 2025
The financial sector appeared to embrace the deal, with the stock markets rising on news of the agreement. However, for a president aiming to pass a sweeping agenda through Congress, it is the political reaction that may be of upmost importance.
Trump's approval ratings have been sliding since he returned to power in the White House three and a half months ago and are now underwater in most national polling.
Front and center is Trump's blockbuster tariff announcement a month ago, which sparked a trade war with some of the nation's top trading partners and triggered a massive sell-off in the financial markets and increased concerns about a recession.
Additionally, the president's approval registered at 38% on the economy and just 33% on inflation and tariffs.
However, veteran Republican strategist and communicator Ryan Williams, when asked about the political impact of Thursday's trade deal, described it as a "positive first step."
Williams also noted that Trump's approval ratings are "tied directly to the performance of the economy."
In discussing his tariffs soon after he announced them on what he called "Liberation Day," the president touted that "these countries are calling us up, kissing my a--."
"They are dying to make a deal. 'Please, please, sir, make a deal. I'll do anything. I'll do anything, sir!'" Trump highlighted.
A month later, Trump finally got a chance to showcase a trade agreement.
"President Trump has argued that his agenda requires time for an adjustment and deal making. He'll be given a period of time to execute deals to prove that his plans are working and the first major trade deal with a nation like the UK is at least a sign that some of the work has been going on behind the scenes thus and is starting to bear fruit," Williams said.
He added that the president will "have to back it up with more, but it is a positive first step for him in securing other deals."
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