The European Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan has said the EU is trying to reset its trading relationship with the US.
He was speaking in Washington where he is holding a series of meetings with senior members of the Trump administration.
It comes at a time of major trade tensions between the US and the EU.
"We have challenges and we're involved in disputes. Like any family we’re going to disagree from time to time," Commissioner Hogan said.
He said that there are no winners in a trade war and that the imposition of tariffs doesn’t benefit anyone.
Irish butter, cheese, liqueurs and pork products were hit with US tariffs in October.
The duties, targeting a range of EU goods, were announced in retaliation for European aircraft subsidies.
The EU is pushing for tariffs of around $10 billion on US products in a parallel process to be decided by the World Trade Organisation.
"We have to stand up for our economic interests in the European Union and from time-to-time there’s going to be some pain, equally it’s a matter for the US to de-escalate these tensions and get rid of these tariffs or the threat of tariffs," Phil Hogan said.
Mr Hogan was also asked about calls for a "level playing field" during upcoming negotiations between the EU and the UK.
"We want to ensure that standards for food, working conditions and environmental regulations are taken into account in an aligned way," he said.
