By Olivia Le Poidevin YAOUNDE, March 28 (Reuters) - The European Union's trade commissioner said on Saturday he held a "very positive" meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the
EU, US Advance Critical Minerals and Tariffs Talks to Strengthen Trade Ties
Progress in EU-US Trade Negotiations
By Olivia Le Poidevin
Positive Developments at WTO Ministerial Meeting
YAOUNDE, March 28 (Reuters) - The European Union's trade commissioner said on Saturday he held a "very positive" meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Cameroon.
"We agreed with the United States to further advance work on critical minerals," commissioner Maros Sefcovic said, adding that tariffs were also discussed.
Legislative Advances and Tariff Discussions
EU lawmakers advanced legislation on Thursday to fulfil the bloc's side of its trade agreement struck with the U.S. in Turnberry, Scotland, last July, after months of uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tariff threats and new import levy.
Safeguards were added, reflecting concerns that Washington may not stick to the deal.
Key Outcomes of the Agreement
The U.S. struck am agreement with the EU to impose 15% import tariff on most EU goods - half the threatened rate - and averted a bigger trade war between the two allies that account for almost a third of global trade.
Sefcovic said the vote and the positive meeting with Greer were important.
"It demonstrates on both sides, despite turbulences on the global stage, and that we are sticking to the agreement."
Trade Volume and Future Agenda
The U.S. is the EU's largest trading partner, with EU exports to the U.S. reaching a record 555 billion euros ($641 billion) in 2025.
Sefcovic said the EU is also looking to other trading partners.
Expanding Partnerships and Lowering Tariffs
"Our agenda for the future will be working as much as possible with all the partners who want to have a free trade agreement with us ... and of course to lower tariffs with the partners with whom we are already trading," he said.
(Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; Editing by Joe Bavier and Dave Graham)
