PARIS (Reuters) -France's finance minister has called for extending EU-U.S. trade talks beyond the July 9 deadline in order to secure a better agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump has set the deadline for the trade talks, warning that failure to reach agreement could trigger higher U.S. tariffs on goods from cars to pharmaceuticals.
Progress in the negotiations between the huge trading partners remains unclear. European officials are increasingly resigned to a 10% "reciprocal" tariff imposed by Washington in April being the baseline in any deal, sources familiar with the talks have told Reuters.
"I think that we are going to strike a deal with the Americans," French Finance Minister Eric Lombard told newspaper La Tribune Dimanche in an interview published on Sunday.
"Regarding the deadline, my wish is for another postponement. I would rather have a good deal than a bad deal on July 9," he said.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier this month that deadlines on some countries negotiating in good faith could be extended.
French President Emmanuel Macron said following an EU summit on Thursday that France wants a quick and pragmatic trade deal with the United States but would not accept unbalanced terms.
EU leaders discussed a new U.S. proposal at the summit but the European Commission did not reveal the content of the offer.
Lombard said that energy could form part of a trade deal, with the EU potentially increasing its imports of U.S. gas to replace flows from Russia.
(Reporting by Gus Trompiz; editing by Clelia Oziel)
The French Minister's call for extending EU-US trade talks highlights the importance of continued negotiations in fostering a deeper and more comprehensive economic partnership between these two influential global powers.
The French Minister's call for an extension of EU-US trade talks underscores the ongoing importance and complexity in creating mutually beneficial agreements between two significant economic powers, demonstrating a commitment to continued diplomatic engagement towards achieving balanced outcomes.
French Ministerial action to advocate for the extension of EU-US trade talks underscores their urgent awareness that addressing globalism in a mutually beneficial way is crucial now more than ever.
The call by the French Minister for an extension of EU-US trade talks underlines France's commitment to deepening economic cooperation and addresses mutual concerns, aiming at a more favorable agreement that benefits both parties.
The French Minister's call for the extension of EU-US trade talks underscores their pressing need to overcome tensions and move towards a more comprehensive agreement, enhancing economic cooperation between two major trading bloc.
The French Minister's call for the extension of EU-US trade talks underscores a renewed commitment to deepening transatlantic economic cooperation, despite ongoing differences.
The call from the French Minister for an extension of EU-US trade talks underscores his nation's commitment to further strengthening economic cooperation in this critical area, highlighting diplomacy as a means towards securing favorable agreements that promote mutual prosperity.
The call by the French Minister for an extension of EU-US trade talks underscores France's commitment to securing fair and advantageous terms in their upcoming transatlantic agreements, which could have a pivotal role if successful.
