As of Thursday, the EU and U.S. were still working on a joint statement that would lay out the terms of their understanding, Commission spokesman Olof Gill said. The document wouldn't be legally binding.
“It is the clear understanding of the European Union that the U.S. will implement the agreed across the board tariff ceiling of 15%,” Gill said. The Commission negotiates trade terms on behalf of the the EU's 27 member countries.
Carve outs were agreed for a range of “strategic” goods, including aircraft and aircraft parts, certain chemicals, some drug generics or natural resources.
Gill said that “it is also our clear understanding that the U.S. will implement the exemptions to the 15% ceiling.” He added: “The U.S. has made these commitments. Now it’s up to the U.S. to implement them. The ball is in their court.”
European wine and spirits won't escape the 15% levy on Friday, but may do later as negotiations on additional exemptions to the new tariff regime continue, he said.
Chris Swonger, chief executive of the U.S. Distilled Spirits Council, said it was “extremely disappointing” that no agreement was reached. The U.S. is the EU's biggest market for alcohol exports.
“It is critical that President Trump secure a permanent return to zero-for-zero tariffs on spirits with the European Union, which will provide much-needed certainty to 1.7 million workers who depend on a vibrant U.S. spirits industry,” Swonger said in a statement.
Before last Sunday's meeting, Trump had threatened the bloc with 30% tariffs, which Von der Leyen said would effectively mean the end of trade between them. Over the last three months, the Commission drew up retaliatory measures worth tens of billions of euros to enact should the talks fail.
Those countermeasures are due to take effect on Aug. 7, but Gill said they would be frozen “if everything goes as expected.”
“If we have reached a deal, we don’t need the retaliatory tariffs,” he said.