Trump relents on EU car tariffs after Juncker meet

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – In what the EU chief called a “major concession,” US President Donald Trump agreed on Wednesday to refrain from imposing car tariffs while the two sides launch negotiations to cut other trade barriers, easing the threat of a transatlantic trade war.

After a meeting at the White House, Mr Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the talks would also seek to “resolve” US tariffs on steel and aluminium and Europe’s retaliatory duties – marking a step back from Mr Trump’s signature import protections for American metals producers.

The breakthrough came as the bitter trade dispute between the United States and China appeared to claim a major casualty, with China not approving US chipmaker Qualcomm Inc’s (QCOM.O) takeover of NXP Semiconductors (NXPI.O), likely shutting the door on the $44 billion deal.

Qualcomm needed Beijing’s okay because China accounts for nearly two-thirds of its revenue, but a deadline at midday yesterday in Asia passed without word from China’s regulator. Qualcomm had said on Wednesday it was dropping the bid.

Mr Trump said Europe agreed to increase purchases of US liquefied natural gas and lower trade barriers to American soybeans, aiding US farmers and the energy sector.

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