France's Le Maire says no US trade talks with metals tariffs in place


FE Team | Published: July 22, 2018 15:19:18 | Updated: July 22, 2018 18:46:39


US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and France's Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire shake hands at the G20 Meeting of Finance Ministers in Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 21, 2018. Reuters

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Saturday the European Union could not consider negotiating a free trade agreement with the United States without Washington first withdrawing its tariffs on steel and aluminium.

Speaking to reporters at the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Buenos Aires, Le Maire said there was no disagreement between France and Germany over how and when to start trade talks with the United States, Reuters reported.

Both agreed Washington needs to take the first step by eliminating tariffs, he said.

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