The European Union on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) finalised a long-delayed trade deal with India that aims to boost two-way trade and reduce the bloc's reliance on the United States amid growing global trade tensions. "The Europeans were unwilling to join us, and it turns out, because they wanted to do this trade deal," he said. U.S. officials remain frustrated that the EU has not enacted the tariff reductions it promised as part of a framework ⁠trade deal reached with Washington in July. Mr. Bessent defended Mr. Trump's action, saying it was "helpful to get things moved along", adding that the South Korean parliament needed to ratify the trade deal. South Korean officials are ⁠due to arrive in Washington on Wednesday (January 28) for talks with trade officials.