EU proposals to open the trade bloc's markets wider to American products appeared not to have persuaded Washington to lift its threat to curb EU steel and aluminum imports. That was the word Tuesday from EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom. US president Donald Trump has granted EU producers exemptions from stiff tariffs on steel and aluminum, pending the outcome of talks.
The exemptions end June first. EU leaders last week agreed on four areas the bloc was willing to discuss, including easier access for industrial products but only that the exemptions are made permanent. Malmstrom said that even if European producers escaped tariffs, they were unlikely to have unrestricted access to American markets.