&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "‘Deal within reach’: EU believes closer to trade agreement with US")
The EU believes a trade deal with the United States is "within reach", a European Commission spokesman said Thursday, after diplomats said the two sides appeared closer to an agreement.
"As regards a deal as an outcome, we believe such an outcome is within reach," EU trade spokesman Olof Gill said.
Diplomats said on Wednesday a US proposal with a baseline tariff rate of 15 per cent was on the table -- with carve-outs for sectors including pharmaceutical products and aircraft -- but that it remained under discussion.
Top EU trade negotiator Maros Sefcovic spoke to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Wednesday, on the same day the United States pointed to progress in the talks between the two trading partners.
"The EU continues to engage with the US intensively at the technical and political level, and that's all I can say for the moment," Gill said, refusing to disclose more information about the two men's call.
Although the commission -- spearheading trade negotiations on behalf of the 27-country bloc -- is focused on getting a deal, Brussels has insisted that the bloc will retaliate if talks fail.
Trending Stories
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
)
Major relief for TN CM Vijay as wife Sangeetha withdraws infidelity and divorce petition
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Primetime trailer: Robert Pattinson channels Chris Hansen in A24's dark crime thriller
)
Lightning bolt strikes football field in Thailand, killing a player during a match
)
US loses 23,000 jobs in July as labour market slowdown deepens
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
)
Thailand teen killed grandparents before shooting teachers at school – What we know about suspect
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Pentagon releases new batch of 41 UFO files, including videos and images
)
Thailand: 14-year-old goes on rampage, kills grandparents, teachers & self | Gravitas
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
US Senate passes sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill targeting energy revenue
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
"We are proceeding on twin tracks, negotiation and preparation for the event that the negotiations don't lead to the outcome we want," Gill said.
EU states earlier on Thursday approved a package of counter-tariffs of up to 30 per cent on 93 billion euros ($109-billion) of US goods -- that would take effect from August 7 if there is no accord.
The commission is also separately preparing a list of US services -- including tech and financial companies -- to target with curbs should the negotiations disappoint.
It has, however, not yet submitted any draft plans to member states on that front.
Beyond that, France has led a charge to show the EU's willingness to deploy a powerful trade weapon known as the anti-coercion instrument, which Gill described on Thursday as the commission's "most powerful deterrent".
The tool, which has never been used, allows the EU to take measures such as import and export restrictions on goods and services.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.