EU offered ‘zero-for-zero’ deal to US weeks before tariff announcement

Cars and other goods were to be included, according to EU trade commissioner, who says offer is still on table

The EU has said it offered the US a zero-for-zero" tariff deal on cars and industrial goods weeks before Donald Trump launched his trade war, but that it would not wait endlessly" to defend itself.

Maros efovi, the EU commissioner for trade, said he had proposed zero tariffs on cars and a range of industrial goods, such as pharmaceutical products, rubber and machinery, during his first meeting with the US commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, on 19 February.