USTR Tai says she is optimistic of resolving EU metal tariff dispute
BRUSSELS, Oct 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Thursday she was optimistic of resolving a dispute with the European Union over steel and aluminum tariffs, insisting that the solution also required a joint effort to combat overcapacity.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum from the European Union, along with other economies such as China, India, Russia and Switzerland.
The European Commission, which oversees EU trade policy, has agreed to suspend a planned increase in retaliatory duties until Dec. 1 and to launch formal talks on addressing excess global capacity largely centered in China.
"The conversations are intensive," Tai told a briefing of reporters on Thursday after talks with European Commission vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis. "Let's say I'm optimistic." (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; editing by Diane Craft)
