EU heading towards 15% tariff deal with US, EU diplomats say

By Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union is heading towards a trade deal with Washington that would result in a broad 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the U.S., avoiding a harsher 30% levy slated to be implemented from August 1, two EU diplomats said on Wednesday.

The rate, which could also extend to cars, would mirror the framework agreement the United States struck with Japan.

Officials from the European Commission, which negotiates trade deals on behalf of the 27-nation bloc, briefed EU envoys on the state of talks with their U.S. counterparts. U.S. President Donald Trump would ultimately make any final decision on a deal, however.

Under the outlines of the potential deal, the 15% rate could apply to sectors including cars and pharmaceuticals and would not be added to long-standing U.S. duties, which average just under 5%.

There could also be concessions for sectors like aircraft, lumber as well as some medicines and agricultural products, which would not face tariffs, the diplomats said.

Washington does not, however, appear willing to lower its current 50% tariff on steel, they said.

The Commission said earlier on Wednesday that its primary focus was to achieve a negotiated outcome to avert the threatened 30% tariffs.

At the same time it planned to submit counter-tariffs on 93 billion euros ($109 billion) worth of U.S. goods to EU members for approval. A vote is expected on Thursday, though no measures would be imposed until August 7.

Germany supported the EU readying countermeasures, a government representative said.

If Trump's 30% tariffs are implemented, EU diplomats also said there was broad support among European governments to activate wide-ranging so-called "anti-coercion" measures, which would allow the bloc to target U.S. services and other sectors.

U.S.-JAPAN DEAL AS TEMPLATE?

The EU appears to be following in the footsteps of Japan, whose agreement with the United States is the most significant Trump has struck since launching his tariff offensive in April.

European shares climbed around 1%, led by automobile stocks, following the U.S.-Japan announcement.

One stand-out feature of that deal was that the same 15% rate applies to cars, compared to the current U.S. tariff of 27.5%, something the EU may want for its own auto exports.

The U.S. imported vehicles and automotive parts valued at more than $55 billion from Japan last year. EU exports were 47.3 billion euros ($55.45 billion). Far fewer U.S. cars were sold into the EU or Japanese markets.

EU officials say Washington has shown little sign of budging on car tariffs, but the Japan deal could hint at flexibility.

"Whatever the Japanese got will become the minimum for the EU negotiating objectives," said Simon Evenett, professor of geopolitics and strategy at IMD Business School.

($1 = 0.8524 euros)

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; additional reporting by Josephine Mason; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Joe Bavier)