Europe

European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström does not believe the U.S. views Brussels’ offer to negotiate a limited trade agreement as a sufficient incentive to exempt the EU from Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, she said on Tuesday.

European leaders last week agreed on a potential agenda for trade discussions between the U.S. and EU that includes topics such as industrial tariffs, procurement, voluntary regulatory cooperation and trade of liquefied natural gas if the Trump administration provides the EU with a permanent exemption from the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Monday lamented that the World Trade Organization's’ most-favored nation principle and bound-tariff rates prevent the U.S. from reciprocal trade with its partners, including China and the European Union.

“I don't think you can just have a 'one-size-fits-all answer.' ... You have to actually be able to differentiate.”

“This short temporary extension provides no relief to the industry, which is already in a vulnerable state.”

A Mexican law on geographical indications that goes into effect on Friday will allow U.S. stakeholders to challenge GI protections in Mexico, but does not completely assuage fears of U.S. dairy producers.

“A commercial war opposing allies is not consistent with our mission, with our history, with our commitments for global security. It will destroy jobs, increase prices and the middle class will have to pay for it.”

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said France as a member of the European Union prioritizes adhering to World Trade Organization rules, but dodged a question on whether the EU will receive a permanent exemption to the U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs when asked about them.

“Any discussions regarding the Proclamations would not be under the Agreement on Safeguards and would be without prejudice to our view that the Proclamations are not safeguard measures.”