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The US has not informed the EU what it needs to elevate commerce tariffs, the European Fee stated, after a two-hour assembly between the 2 sides’ commerce negotiators made little progress.
EU commerce commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met commerce secretary Howard Lutnick on Monday to debate methods to take away the so-called reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US, together with metal, aluminium and automotive levies, however the US aspect did not set out its calls for.
“We need to hear more from the Americans. We need to have a clearer idea of what their preferred outcomes are in these negotiations,” stated EU commerce spokesman Olof Gill on Tuesday.
Gill stated Šefčovič had repeated a proposal to mutually drop all industrial items tariffs.
“The EU is doing its part. Now, it is necessary for the US to define its position. As with every negotiation, this must be a two-way street . . . with both sides bringing something,” he stated.
The White Home and commerce division didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The US listed an extended set of grievances when it imposed, then paused, reciprocal tariffs on a lot of the world this month. However calculations have been primarily based on the commerce surplus in items between them and the US. The EU was given 20 per cent, primarily based on the $235bn items surplus it had in 2024.
Donald Trump has stated the EU can purchase extra liquefied pure fuel, which Brussels has agreed to in precept.
The US president has additionally attacked the EU for not shopping for sufficient vehicles and “non-tariff barriers” that exclude US hen rinsed with chlorine-based chemical compounds, and beef from cattle fed hormones. He has railed towards VAT, and its digital regulation.
Inside days of imposing the tariffs Trump dropped them and solely utilized a ten per cent levy for nearly all international locations for 90 days, whereas encouraging companions to hunt offers to scale back the duties completely.
However on Monday he additionally instructed officers to arrange contemporary measures towards semiconductor and pharmaceutical merchandise. Šefčovič reiterated the significance of resilient transatlantic provide chains in these sectors, Gill stated.
Gill stated the assembly was a “focused scoping” session, with the zero tariff plan and the worldwide overcapacity in metal and aluminium industries additionally coated.
However he added that meals security requirements have been “sacrosanct”.
“The commissioner reiterated that the EU and the US share many challenges and could address them jointly to the benefit of both sides,” he stated.
“The EU will continue to approach these talks in a constructive manner, with a view to identify areas of common interest. It is clear that significant joint efforts will be needed to achieve a successful outcome within the 90-day window.”
The EU has paused its retaliatory tariffs in response to the metal and aluminium levies till July 14. It was persevering with to work on additional measures for the opposite tariffs, Gill stated, in case there was no settlement.
