U.S. President Donald Trump's administration will apply import tariffs on European steel and aluminum after failing to reach an agreement with EU officials that would have avoided the levies, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited sources familiar with the matter.
Washington could make the announcement as early as May 31 and allow the extended temporary tariff exemption granted to the bloc to expire on June 1, according to the report.
One of the report's sources said the Trump administration's plans could still change if the U.S. and EU strike a last-minute deal.
Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on global steel imports and 10% on aluminum in March, citing national security concerns. Temporary exemptions were given to the EU, Canada and Mexico.
The EU had sought a permanent exemption from the tariffs and had formally took the dispute to the World Trade Organization. The EU also threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. products.
EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom, who previously held talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, said last week that Washington appeared unsatisfied with the bloc's proposed concessions to obtain permanent tariff exemption.
