Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 28, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 28, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleEU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič held a “very positive” meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, advancing cooperation on critical minerals and discussing tariffs amid EU lawmakers advancing safeguards in the Turnberry trade deal.
By Olivia Le Poidevin
YAOUNDE, March 28 (Reuters) - The European Union's trade commissioner said on Saturday he held a "very positive" meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Cameroon.
"We agreed with the United States to further advance work on critical minerals," commissioner Maros Sefcovic said, adding that tariffs were also discussed.
EU lawmakers advanced legislation on Thursday to fulfil the bloc's side of its trade agreement struck with the U.S. in Turnberry, Scotland, last July, after months of uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tariff threats and new import levy.
Safeguards were added, reflecting concerns that Washington may not stick to the deal.
The U.S. struck am agreement with the EU to impose 15% import tariff on most EU goods - half the threatened rate - and averted a bigger trade war between the two allies that account for almost a third of global trade.
Sefcovic said the vote and the positive meeting with Greer were important.
"It demonstrates on both sides, despite turbulences on the global stage, and that we are sticking to the agreement."
The U.S. is the EU's largest trading partner, with EU exports to the U.S. reaching a record 555 billion euros ($641 billion) in 2025.
Sefcovic said the EU is also looking to other 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 said.
(Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; Editing by Joe Bavier and Dave Graham)
They discussed advancing work on critical minerals and negotiating tariffs on EU-US trade.
The agreement was made to avoid a larger trade war and included a 15% tariff on most EU goods, which is half the initially threatened rate.
EU lawmakers advanced legislation to fulfill their side of an agreement with the US, including added safeguards.
EU exports to the US reached a record 555 billion euros ($641 billion) in 2025.
Yes, the EU aims to work with more trading partners and lower tariffs with existing partners.
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