EU trade commissioner discusses critical minerals, tariffs with US

European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic reacts as he addresses the media at the World Trade Organization (WTO) 14th ministerial conference in Yaounde, Cameroon Mar 28, 2026. REUTERS

The European Union's ⁠trade commissioner said on Saturday he held a "very positive" meeting with US 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 US 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 US struck an 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 US is the EU's ⁠largest trading partner, with EU exports to the US 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.