European Union (EU) trade chief Phil Hogan is working to get a deal with the U.S. by March 18, he told reporters Wednesday night. Hogan said he is preparing a package of several agreements for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to present to President Donald Trump in the next few weeks.
The Trump administration’s decision last week not to increase retaliatory tariffs on agricultural products in the long-running Boeing-Airbus dispute was a positive sign that the U.S. is willing to negotiate a deal, Hogan said.
The U.S. Trade Representative instead boosted retaliatory tariffs on Airbus aircraft to 15%, from 10%, and left unchanged a 25% tariff on EU food, alcohol and other products. As for the significance of March 18, Hogan noted USTR Robert Lighthizer suspended the tariff increase on Airbus planes until March 18.
“Between now and then, we are trying our best to have a mini deal based on the terms of reference that was given to us ... by President von der Leyen and Trump in Davos,” Hogan said.
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