European Union's Stance on US Tariffs and Trade Negotiations - Make Questions

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European capitals have hardened their position in trade talks with Donald Trump, insisting the US drops its tariffs on the EU immediately as part of any framework deal before the looming deadline on July 9.

Trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič has been instructed to take a tougher line on a trip to Washington this week as Brussels tries to remove or at least substantially cut Trump’s levies in the long term.

Washington has indicated to Brussels that the most likely first-stage agreement is a UK-style phased deal that leaves some tariffs in place while talks continue, according to EU officials.

Ambassadors from EU member states on Monday asked for Šefčovič to insist that any such deal includes, from July 9, reductions in the current 10 per cent “reciprocal” tariff, according to four people briefed on the matter. They are also demanding reductions to higher sectoral levies.

In the UK case, US tariffs on cars and steel continued for some weeks after the initial agreement to allow lower duty or duty-free quotas.

The EU’s 27 members have struggled to display a united front during almost three months of talks. But European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen asked leaders at a summit on Thursday to endorse a tougher stance, according to the people.

European Union's Stance on US Tariffs and Trade Negotiations

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