Trump confident about EU trade deal but timeline remains unclear
US president Donald Trump has said he is "100 per cent sure" a trade deal will be reached with the European Union amid the ongoing tariff dispute. Speaking during a meeting with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday, Trump added that the deal would be "fair" but said he was in "no rush" to complete it.
Meloni, the first European leader to visit Washington since the trade conflict began, expressed hope that she could act as a bridge between the EU and the US. She announced plans to invite Trump to Italy for an official visit, including a meeting with the European Commission to discuss trade.
Relations between Trump and EU leaders have been strained. Meloni attended Trump's inauguration, unlike Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who has reportedly had no contact with the US administration since Trump's re-election in November. The Commission confirmed that Von der Leyen and Meloni had coordinated the visit.
Slow progress
Tensions have escalated in recent weeks after the US imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium, followed by proposed tariffs of 20 per cent on almost all EU goods and 25 per cent on cars and car parts.
Trump has since suspended these new tariffs for 90 days. In response, the Commission has temporarily suspended its planned countermeasures to allow for negotiations.
But progress remains slow. EU Trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič visited Washington this week, but EU officials say it is unclear what outcome the US is seeking. Sources told Bloomberg that Washington does not appear willing to withdraw the tariffs.
© PHOTO AFP GETTY
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