"There will be a trade deal 100%," Trump said ahead of a luncheon at the White House with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. "I fully expect it."

Amid the market slump and unpredictable tariff fight, bankers and investors are finding creative ways to get some multibillion-dollar deals done, albeit delayed, from Silver Lake's purchase of Altera to Prada's acquisition of Versace, both announced in the last two weeks.

While Trump has expressed optimism about agreements with Europe and China, among others, so far it’s been just that: positive comments, but no signed deals.