(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, Nov 24 (KUNA) -- EU trade ministers are holding on Monday their first direct meeting in two months with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Brussels on Monday to discuss the outstanding issues in the tariff agreement reached last July.
According to the European Commission, the meeting aims to revive the negotiations, focusing on files that remain contentious, foremost among them the tariffs imposed on steel, aluminum, and products containing steel components, in addition to tariffs on food and beverages, including alcohol.
The EU Commission announced that Lutnick and Greer will participate in a working lunch with the 27 EU trade ministers. The two US officials are also holding talks with several EU commissioners, including the commissioners for trade, defense, and technology, to discuss the ongoing crisis of semiconductor supplies from China and its impact on economic partnerships.
The European Union had reached an agreement with US President Donald Trump last July to avoid the imposition of 50 percent tariffs by settling on a base tariff of 15 percent on most EU exports to the United States.
However, Washington has recently expressed dissatisfaction with what it sees as the EUآ's slow implementation of the agreement, which still requires approval by the European Parliament, a process that could extend until next February.
The main outstanding issues include the continued 50 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum, additional tariffs on metal products, and taxes on certain food and beverage items.
The European Commission confirmed in a statement on Friday that it continues to engage with the United States at "both the political and technical levels", adding that it is finalizing a list of sectors for which it seeks tariff exemptions, including wine and alcoholic beverages.
On the other hand, the United States is urging the European Union to ease its digital and environmental regulations, which Washington considers non-tariff barriers and which President Trump has sharply criticized. Meanwhile, the EU insists that its digital legislation is not up for negotiation.
Both sides hope that Mondayآ's meetings will help achieve tangible progress before negotiations officially resume next week. (end)
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