The EU's top trade official said the US has failed to provide full clarity on how Europe could be spared from Washington's controversial steel and aluminium tariffs.
Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem made her statement after crunch talks with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in an effort to defuse a bitter row that many fear could turn into an all-out trade war.
President Donald Trump's announcement of tariffs of 25% on imported steel and 10% on aluminium has stung the European Union, along with other major partners including Japan, whose Economy Minister Hiroshige Seko also attended the talks in Brussels.
"As a close security and trade partner of the US, the EU must be excluded from the announced measures," Malmstroem said on Twitter after the meeting.
"No immediate clarity on the exact US procedure for exemption however, so discussions will continue next week," she added.
EU-Japan-US agreed on further steps in our ongoing cooperation to tackle trade-distorting practices in sectors such as steel. Stronger rules on industrial subsidies, etc. Joint readout: https://t.co/Z9GvQmKRf8
— Cecilia Malmström (@MalmstromEU) March 10, 2018
All about today’s meetings: https://t.co/hfhi6ifzLw
The talks, initially set to address China's oversupply of steel, have long been in the diary, but following President Trump's announcement, they became the first opportunity to defuse the crisis.
With tensions at a peak, officials kept a tight lid on the content of the meeting and sought to keep expectations of any breakthrough low.
Along with a huge range of steel products, the EU's list of flagship American products lined up for counter measures includes peanut butter, bourbon whiskey and denim jeans.
On Twitter, President Trump said he was working with Australian officials to secure a deal that would allow Australia to avoid the steel and aluminium tariffs.
Spoke to PM @TurnbullMalcolm of Australia. He is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship. Working very quickly on a security agreement so we don’t have to impose steel or aluminum tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2018
President Trump also faced a backlash at home with his top economic advisor Gary Cohn stepping down in opposition to the tariffs and senior Republican allies voicing shock and dismay.
