Serious trade talks have now begun between the United States and the European Union, aiming to avoid the most damaging effects of tariffs introduced under President Donald Trump, according to the Financial Times. This marks a breakthrough after a period of stalled discussions.
In recent days, both sides exchanged formal negotiation documents for the first time. These documents set the agenda for talks covering a range of topics, including tariffs, digital trade, and investment flows, according to four informed sources and an EU briefing obtained by the FT.
Sabine Weyand, the European Commission’s lead trade negotiator, told EU ambassadors that the bloc must remain strategic and avoid being drawn into the U.S.’s demand for quick wins, as outlined in the memo. She warned that some U.S. tariffs—especially those targeting industries the U.S. is trying to reshore, such as steel and automotive—are likely to remain in place.
The EU, often criticized by Trump for exploiting trade advantages over the U.S., has seen slower progress in its negotiations compared to other nations like Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom.
Trump’s trade envoy Jamieson Greer reportedly stepped up pressure by telling European diplomats that the U.S. was losing patience with the EU’s failure to submit concrete proposals. Two sources close to the talks said Greer warned that without a meaningful offer from Brussels, the Trump administration was prepared to fully reinstate its tariffs starting April 2.
