Trade negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) are scheduled to resume next week after a two-month hiatus. The discussions aim to address unresolved issues stemming from a tariff agreement reached in July. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet with EU ministers, commissioners, and industry leaders in Brussels.
These meetings mark the first direct talks since a six-week US government shutdown that began in early October. Officials will participate in a lunch with 27 trade ministers attending a summit, highlighting the diplomatic nature of the discussions. An insider noted the importance of maintaining a focused agenda to prevent individual countries from introducing separate demands.
In July, the US reached an agreement with the EU, brokered at Donald Trump’s golf course in Scotland, which replaced the threat of a 50% tariff with a baseline 15% duty on many EU imports. However, Washington officials have expressed frustration over the slow pace of implementation from the EU, which requires parliamentary approval and may take until February to finalize.
Key topics on the agenda include ongoing 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum, additional tariffs on products containing steel, and levies on food and drink. Certain EU member states, such as France and Ireland, are advocating for the removal of the 15% tax on wine and spirits.
Before the evening dinner, Lutnick and Greer are also expected to meet with EU commissioners to discuss semiconductor supply issues from China and will engage with industry leaders, including executives from Volkswagen and TotalEnergies. An EU source emphasized the necessity of addressing concerns regarding steel derivatives, which the US has proposed tariffs on for various products.
Additionally, both parties plan to explore ways to align efforts to safeguard their domestic steel industries against cheaper imports from China, with the EU’s recent proposals aimed at incentivizing reductions in US tariffs on European steel.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/22/eu-and-us-to-restart-trade-talks-as-sticking-points-on-july-tariff-deal-remain