US President Donald Trump announced today that US tariffs in the European Union will not be lower than 15 percent, while he is in Scotland for talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Trump made the statement in response to a journalist's question.
"Can you do anything better than a 15% tariff rate for the EU?" the journalist asked.
"Better, so lower? No," Trump replied.
Von der Leyen said the chances of reaching an agreement were 50-50, stressing that any deal would be based on "fairness and balance".
Before the talks began, she called Trump a "tough negotiator," stressing that if the two sides reach an agreement, it would be the most important reached so far for both sides.
Trump said there was a "good chance" that Washington and Brussels would reach a trade deal, citing "three or four" points that remain to be resolved. He noted that the main issue between the two sides is "justice", highlighting obstacles to exports of cars and agricultural products from the US to the EU.
"If we make an agreement today, this will be the end, it will take years before we have to discuss it again," he said.