Politico: Trump’s frustration forced EU to act on stalled trade talks

US President Donald Trump was privately dismayed by the European Union’s handling of months-long trade negotiations, according to a senior American official, who described the talks as stagnant and unproductive.

Despite 13 virtual and in-person meetings, the EU failed to make a single offer, leaving Trump “completely frustrated by their lack of momentum, the official told Politico, Caliber.Az reports. 

“The president was just completely frustrated by their lack of momentum; they were really … meeting and talking, but not doing anything. Then he sent the letter and everything changed — they realized he was serious, they realized they had significant risk if they didn’t come to the table,” the official said.

The EU and US reached a trade deal on July 27 that introduced 15 per cent tariffs on a wide range of European exports.

By Sabina Mammadli