The escalation of trade negotiations between the European Union and the United States remains without any significant breakthrough
In the recent rounds of consultations held beforehand, representatives from both sides failed to reach clear agreements regarding future tariff policies, and most importantly — they did not gain clarity on the US position on this important issue for the EU. It is noted that the well-known European diplomat — European Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis — during the negotiations remained without a concrete understanding of the American side’s intentions. The Bloomberg agency confirmed this information, adding that despite some progress in certain areas, optimism for a quick resolution of the tariff issues remains minimal at this time. It is also important to point out that the US has signaled to EU colleagues that the full removal of tariff restrictions — specifically, the temporary reduction from 20% to 10% for certain goods — is not currently a priority for the administration. Overall, it is reported that tariff policies in key areas will remain unchanged. This applies to import duties on aluminum and cars — such tariffs are expected to stay, at least in the near future, without significant alterations. However, as part of the negotiations, the Americans have presented another important focus — they prefer to concentrate on non-tariff barriers, including regulation of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and food standards. This strategy indicates the United States’ intention to dominate in areas where trade resistance could arise due to various regulatory norms. As of today, regarding the format of the negotiations, the sides have committed to continue discussions at the technical level. It is expected that the next consultations will take place within specialized working groups, allowing for a deeper discussion and possibly a common solution on the most contentious issues. Regarding the political and economic context, the European Union remains one of the largest US trading partners. According to last year’s statistics, the volume of bilateral trade between transatlantic partners was approximately one trillion dollars — a substantial amount that underscores the importance of these relations for both sides. Meanwhile, prior to this, White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett stated that the US had achieved "enormous progress" in tariff negotiations with the EU. However, subsequent information about the state of affairs suggests otherwise.Deputy officials and experts note that the negotiation process is still, rather, in the early stages and requires significant additional work to reach the planned goals. Overall, the situation on the trade fronts remains tense, and further progress depends on the ability of the parties to find compromises on complex and multifaceted issues related to tariffs, regulatory standards, and global trade strategies. However, analysts say that questions remain open regarding how long such negotiations will last and what specific decisions can be made in the near future.