US & EU See Progress in Trade Talks

The European Union and the US are headed in the "right direction" in trade talks, though new American levies on steel and aluminum imports aren't helpful if both sides want to maintain momentum, Maros Sefcovic said after meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

- WILLIAM HOROBIN AND JORGE VALERO

WASHINGTON DOUBLED ITS tariffs on steel and aluminum imports on Wednesday, when President Donald Trump's administration also expects trading partners to make 'best offers' to avoid other punishing import levies from taking effect in early July.

Maros Sefcovic, the trade negotiator for the EU, was due to meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Paris, with the 27-nation bloc set to make its case for cutting or eliminating threatened tariffs on European imports. Late on Tuesday, Trump signed an executive proclamation that activates from Wednesday a hike in the tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50% from the 25% rate introduced in March.