EU, US Trade Talks Yield Little Progress on Tariff Disputes

Trade tensions between the US and the European Union have intensified, with recent high-level meetings failing to produce substantial progress in removing tariffs imposed during the Trump administration. US officials signaled that most tariffs, including those on cars and metals, would remain, while the EU is preparing to implement countermeasures if no agreement is reached after a 90-day pause. The US has also rejected EU proposals to remove industrial goods tariffs and showed little interest in alternative solutions such as increased EU purchases of US liquefied natural gas. Amid this deadlock, the EU is seeking new trade partners and accelerating other trade deals, including potential agreements with the Mercosur bloc and the United Arab Emirates, to reduce reliance on unpredictable US relations. European leaders stress the need for diversified global partnerships, though internal EU disagreements, such as French opposition to the Mercosur deal, persist. The continued standoff risks further escalation, with both sides preparing for possible retaliatory measures if talks collapse.