EU to press U.S. on trade deal, tariff rollbacks

The EU and US resume trade talks in Brussels to resolve key issues from a July deal, including steel, aluminium, and food tariffs.

Transcript

00:00The European Union and the United States are resuming trade negotiations in Brussels today

00:05after a two-month pause aiming to resolve outstanding issues in a deal struck in July.

00:12The EU are expected to press Washington on key points including the current 50%

00:18U.S. tariff on steel and aluminum, separate duties on goods containing steel components

00:24and taxes on food and beverage products.

00:26U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Ludnig and Trade Representative Jameson Greer

00:31have arrived in Brussels on Monday to meet EU ministers.

00:36The July deal negotiated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

00:40set a 15% tariff on most EU goods entering the U.S.,

00:45while Brussels removed duties on most U.S. products.

00:49Although presented as the best outcome the EU could achieve, the agreement has faced criticism.

00:55The European Parliament still needs to vote on the tariff removals.

00:59Washington has expressed frustration at the slow pace,

01:03with the final tax between member states not expected until March.

01:08For its part, EU plans to present a consolidated list of sectors it once exempted from U.S. tariffs,

01:14aiming to show a united front and prevent individual countries from lobbying for separate deals.

01:21Brussels also wants a broader range of exports including olives, pasta, wine and spirits

01:28return to lower pre-Trump duty rates.