EU Trade Commissioner Discusses Critical Minerals, Tariffs with US

The European Union’s Trade Commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, described his recent meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer as “very positive,” highlighting discussions on critical minerals and tariffs.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial gathering in Cameroon.

Sefcovic confirmed that both parties agreed to advance collaboration on critical minerals, which are vital for technology, energy, and industrial supply chains. Tariff-related issues were also on the agenda, reflecting ongoing trade sensitivities between the EU and the United States.

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EU lawmakers recently advanced legislation to meet obligations under the EU-U.S. trade agreement signed last July in Turnberry, Scotland. The legislation includes safeguards addressing concerns that the U.S. may not fully comply with commitments, particularly in the face of potential tariff threats.

The EU-U.S. agreement sets a 15% import tariff on most EU goods, half of the originally threatened rate, effectively averting a wider trade dispute between the two economic partners, which together account for nearly a third of global trade. Sefcovic emphasized that the legislation and the meeting with the U.S. counterpart demonstrate continued adherence to the agreement despite global economic uncertainties.

Sefcovic also noted that the EU is pursuing broader trade objectives with other partners. “Our future agenda will include working with partners seeking free trade agreements and reducing tariffs with countries we already trade with,” he said. The EU remains the United States’ largest trading partner, with exports to the U.S. reaching a record €555 billion ($641 billion) in 2025.

The EU’s approach reflects a strategy to secure stable trading conditions, particularly for critical sectors such as technology and energy. Negotiations with the U.S. are part of ongoing efforts to maintain supply chain security and trade predictability while mitigating the risk of disputes that could disrupt bilateral commerce.

Both sides stressed the importance of constructive dialogue to sustain trade flows and support economic growth. The discussions also indicate EU readiness to adapt to evolving global trade dynamics and address emerging challenges in strategic sectors such as critical minerals, digital trade, and tariffs.