REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsVALENCIA, Spain, Oct 20 (Reuters) - The European Union and the United States could reach a deal on critical minerals over the coming weeks or months despite their failure to agree an accord on steel and aluminium, French Trade Minister Olivier Becht said on Friday.
The discussions were intense and I hope they will restart as soon as possible," Becht said before an EU ministers' meeting on trade in Valencia, Spain.
"It's in both the interest of Europe and the United States to have this agreement," Becht said.
The United States has suspended import tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imposed by then-President Donald Trump in 2018, but on condition both sides agree measures to address overcapacity in non-market economies such as China, and promote greener steel.
Reporting by Belén Carreño; editing by Philip Blenkinsop and Barbara LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Mike Pence, Francois Lenoir, Olivier Becht, Joe Biden's, Becht, Donald Trump, Belén, Philip Blenkinsop, Barbara Lewis
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