EU trade chief heads to Washington for trade talks
BRUSSELS : The EU's top trade negotiator Maros Sefcovic is jetting to Washington Wednesday for talks with his US counterparts as the bloc renews its push to settle the transatlantic tariffs standoff.
'Sefcovic is flying to DC this afternoon for separate in-person meetings' with US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick and US trade representative Jamieson Greer, said European Commission trade spokesman Olof Gill.
President Donald Trump threw months of EU-US talks into disarray at the weekend by threatening a 30% levy on European goods from Aug 1 if the transatlantic allies don't strike a deal.
Leading up to Saturday's missive, Brussels thought it was on the cusp of closing a deal with Washington, but EU officials remain hopeful they can reach an agreement by the end of the month.
A technical team from the European Commission – which leads on trade for the 27-country bloc – had already travelled to Washington this week for more talks with US officials.
The EU has until now sought to tackle trade tensions with the US through negotiations but has prepared retaliatory tariffs if no deal is made.
On Monday, Brussels shared with EU states a list of US goods worth €72 billion (US$84 billion) that could be hit by levies – with several capitals urging the bloc this week to toughen its stance.
The 202-page document seen by AFP lists big-ticket items like US-made aircraft, cars, chemicals and electrical equipment alongside sundry other items, such as live bees, camels, parrots, condoms and opium.
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