[EU Takes Tougher Stance on US Tariffs]
According to a report by the UK's Financial Times on the 1st, cited by Xinhua News Agency, as the deadline for EU-US trade negotiations approaches on July 9th, EU member governments have adopted a tougher stance in negotiations with the US, insisting that the US's cancellation of EU tariffs be included as part of any framework agreement. The report, citing EU officials, revealed that the US has indicated to the EU that the most likely first-phase agreement would resemble the US-UK trade agreement, retaining some tariffs while negotiations continue. Given the EU's focus on pushing for the long-term cancellation or substantial reduction of tariffs by the US, EU member states have requested Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU Commissioner responsible for trade, economic security, and other matters, who is visiting the US this week, to adopt a tougher stance, advocating that any agreement must include a reduction in the current 10% benchmark tariff imposed by the US on most EU exports from July 9th, while also demanding a reduction in higher industry-specific tariffs.