EU negotiators seek deal to cut US import duties by July 4 deadline

European Union negotiators are working to finalize legislation that would reduce import duties on a range of United States goods, aiming to implement a trade agreement reached last year and avert a significant increase in U.S. tariffs. The deal, negotiated in July, established a framework to ease trade tensions by setting a tariff ceiling of 15 percent on most goods traded between the two economies.

Under the terms of the agreement, the EU pledged to remove duties on American industrial products and expand market access for U.S. agricultural and seafood exports. In return, the United States agreed to maintain its tariffs on most European goods at 15 percent rather than imposing higher rates. However, nearly a year later, the required legislative text within the EU has not been finalized, delaying the implementation of the European side of the bargain.

The urgency stems from a warning by U.S. President Donald Trump that the United States would impose much higher tariffs on European goods, including raising duties on automobiles from 15 to 25 percent, if the EU fails to implement its commitments by July 4. This threat has raised concerns about a renewed transatlantic trade...