US open to 'comprehensive' EU talks, Irish minister says after Lutnick meeting

DUBLIN (Reuters) - The United States appears open to comprehensive negotiations with the European Union to address a broad range of issues, Irish Trade Minister Simon Harris said after a meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Wednesday.

"I conveyed our commitment through the EU to comprehensive negotiations that would address a broad range of issues. The meeting with Secretary Lutnick has confirmed my view that there is an openness on the part of the US to engage in such a process," Harris said in a statement.

Harris added he believed following the meeting that President Donald Trump's lowering of tariffs on many countries for 90 days would also allow time for separate talks on planned U.S. tariffs on pharmaceuticals, a key issue for Ireland.

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin)