French official: "The trade negotiations between Europe and America are still far from reaching an agreement."

French Minister of Economy and Finance, Eric Lombard, stated on the 24th that the European Union and the United States are still far from reaching an agreement on trade tariffs. According to the French newspaper "Figaro", Lombard made this statement during a press conference at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings this week. Lombard said that he has met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besent, and other officials, and feels that all parties are eager to make progress, but "these negotiations will have ups and downs." Lombard also mentioned that during his meeting with Lutnick, some "projects" have been initiated to eliminate trade barriers between the EU and the U.S., and both sides are working to overcome the "stalled situation."