European Union Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic described his Saturday meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer as highly productive during discussions held alongside the World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Cameroon.
“We agreed with the United States to further advance work on critical minerals,” Sefcovic stated, noting that import duties were also part of their conversation.
On Thursday, European lawmakers moved forward with legislation designed to implement their portion of the trade deal reached with America in Turnberry, Scotland last July. This action comes after several months of uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s threats of increased tariffs and new import fees.
European officials included protective measures in the legislation, expressing concerns about whether Washington would honor the agreement.
The United States and EU reached a deal establishing a 15% import duty on most European goods – representing half of what was initially threatened – successfully preventing a larger trade conflict between the two partners who together represent nearly one-third of worldwide commerce.
According to Sefcovic, both Thursday’s legislative vote and his productive discussion with Greer held significant importance.
“It demonstrates on both sides, despite turbulences on the global stage, and that we are sticking to the agreement,” he said.
America serves as the European Union’s primary trading partner, with European exports to the United States hitting an all-time high of 555 billion euros ($641 billion) in 2025.
Sefcovic indicated that the EU is simultaneously exploring relationships with additional trading partners.
“Our agenda for the future will be working as much as possible with all the partners who want to have a free trade agreement with us … and of course to lower tariffs with the partners with whom we are already trading,” he explained.
