EU trade chief says U.S. not seeking deal to avert tariffs

Maros Sefcovic stressed that the EU will protect European businesses.

Trump team not engaging to avert tariff war, says EU trade chief

“One hand cannot clap,” says Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.

US ‘not seeking deal’ with EU on tariffs, says Commission trade chief

Šefčovič vowed to protect European businesses and citizens from Trump's "unjustified" trade measures, but noted that Brussels' "doors" remain "open for constructive engagement" with Washington.

The US administration of President Donald Trump does not seem to want talks with the EU to avoid a trade war between the US and the EU bloc, European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said on Monday, two days before US tariffs on steel and aluminium were due to take effect, Reuters reports.

Days before US tariffs on steel and aluminum take effect, the United States appears unwilling to strike a deal with Brussels to avoid the European Union (EU) from facing steep tariffs, the bloc's trade chief said on Monday.

On Monday, the European Commission regretted the lack of US commitment to reach an agreement with the EU to avoid the introduction of customs duties, two days before the entry into force of European steel and aluminium taxes.