Europe and US continue to haggle on trade despite pact

It’s been nearly four months since Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, and President Donald Trump made a handshake deal to resolve trade tensions between their economies.

- Ana Swanson and Jeanna Smialek

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets US President Donald Trump during the United National General Assembly at the UN headquarters in September, Doug Mills/The New York Times

(Doug Mills/The New York Times)

But details of the trade pact have proved contentious — and they have been up for debate again this week, when American trade officials visited their counterparts in Brussels.

Jamieson Greer, the US trade representative, met Maros Sefcovic, the European Union’s trade commissioner, on Sunday. Both Greer and Howard Lutnick, the US commerce secretary, attended a meeting of trade ministers in Brussels on Monday.

The visit was an opportunity for a back and forth between two of the world’s most active trading partners at a moment when their trade relationship remains somewhat in flux. Both sides have signed onto a trade agreement in principle — one that has left the 27-nation bloc facing 15 per cent tariffs across the board, with various exceptions. But key parts of the deal have not been completed and carried out.

Europe has been hoping for a better deal on a list of items, including wine and spirits, steel, aluminum, medical devices and pasta. The United States has implied that the Europeans must do more to meet their commitments, including making promised investments. US officials also continue to push for changes, such as Europe rolling back key technology regulations.

In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Greer said that the Europeans had started a legal process to meet their trade commitments and that it was well underway. “We're here to just take stock of that progress,” said Greer, who was speaking from outside the European Union buildings in Brussels.