The European Union and the U.S. are heading for a potential trade deal that includes a 15% U.S. baseline tariff on EU goods and possible exemptions, two European diplomats said on Wednesday, potentially moving President Donald Trump closer to securing another major trade agreement hours after he unveiled one with Japan.

As the tariff pause ends, the Trump administration should pivot to a more targeted and strategic policy that minimizes domestic harm.

Trump has sent letters to leaders of dozens of countries outlining the tariff levels set to begin on Aug. 1. In recent months, Trump has rolled back some of his steepest tariffs, meaning delays could be possible in the case of the Aug. 1 deadline. The Trump administration appears to have stood largely behind the deadline in recent days, however.

President Trump's threatened 30% tariffs on the EU might prompt some businesses to take another look at the U.K.

The European Union still wants a trade pact with the US, but the bloc said to be readying its counterattack as President Trump plays hardball and makes a no-deal outcome more likely. EU member states are pushing for new and stringent measures to retaliate against US companies,

The United States appears firm on its slated tariff increase on the EU following comments made by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over the weekend.

European exporters say a 30% U.S. import tariff would drive prices unsustainably high and hammer their sales. While some manufacturers are shifting their supply chains stateside or elsewhere, not all businesses have the same flexibility — and can't easily replace the developed U.