The European Commission said on Thursday a negotiated trade solution with the United States is within reach - while EU members voted to approve counter-tariffs on 93 billion euros ($109 billion) of US goods in case the talks collapse.
The 27-nation bloc's executive has repeatedly said its primary focus is on reaching a deal to avert 30% US tariffs that US President Donald Trump has said he will apply on August 1.
"Our focus is on finding a negotiated outcome with the US ... We believe such an outcome is within reach," an EU spokesperson said in response to reporters' questions, Reuters reported.
Alongside negotiations, the Commission has pressed on with plans for potential countermeasures, merging two packages of proposed tariffs of 21 billion euros and 72 billion euros into a single list and submitting this to EU members for approval.
The rate would be up to 30%, designed to mirror US tariffs, EU sources said.
Diplomats said EU countries overwhelmingly approved the measures on Thursday, which the Commission later confirmed.
The first package of countermeasures would enter force on August 7, with tariffs on soybeans and almonds delayed until December 1, an EU official said. The second package would enter force in two stages on September 7 and February 7.
So far the EU has held back from imposing any countermeasures, despite Trump's tariffs already covering 70% of EU exports. EU member states authorised the first package of countermeasures in April, but these were immediately suspended to allow time for negotiations.
CLOSING ON DEAL
The EU and United States now appear to be heading towards a possible trade deal, according to EU diplomats, which would result in a broad 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the US, mirroring a framework agreement Washington struck with Japan. Trump would still need to take any final decision.
The White House said discussions of a deal should be considered "speculation". Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro told Bloomberg News the report from the EU should be taken with "a grain of salt."
French Finance Minister Eric Lombard and Italian Industry Minister Adolfo Urso told a joint press conference in Paris they were not aware of a draft agreement, Urso adding he would only pass judgment when one was reached.
There was little information available about what the EU would offer the United States to secure a deal. One EU diplomat said the bloc was not looking at a pledge of investment in the United States, as Japan has agreed.
Another said the EU might reduce some of its own duties. Its current import duty for cars is 10%.
Under the outlines of the potential deal, the 15% rate could apply to sectors including cars and pharmaceuticals and would not be added to long-standing US duties, which average just under 5%.
There could also be exemptions for sectors such as aircraft, lumber as well as some medicines and agricultural products, which would not face tariffs, diplomats said.
Washington does not, however, appear willing to lower its 50% tariff on steel.
