BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The United States is optimistic about finalizing a deal with the European Union that would allow critical minerals mined or processed in Europe to qualify for U.S. tax breaks for clean cars, a government official said on Monday. .
Transatlantic partners are negotiating whether and how critical EU minerals such as lithium and nickel qualify for green subsidies under the US Inflation Reduction Act, which favors products made in North America. .
José Fernández, Undersecretary of Economic Growth, Energy and Environment of the State Department, stated in a briefing in Brussels that the two sides are in intense negotiations.
“I am optimistic, optimistic. The negotiations are good. We know that we must work together and I am confident that we will come to an agreement,” he declared.
He added that there are no plans to link a deal on critical minerals to the outcome of separate transatlantic negotiations to resolve a bilateral dispute over US tariffs on EU steel imports.
The United States signed a mineral agreement with Japan in March. Today, the EU and the United Kingdom are looking for the same thing.
Fernández also said he met with EU officials to discuss the agenda of the next joint Trade and Technology Council, which will be hosted by the United States before the end of the year.
He said that the two sides intended to work on building protections for artificial intelligence, which they agreed should support democratic values, human rights and individual freedoms.
“I think there is a desire to go beyond these kinds of general statements and have something more concrete,” he said, adding that there is no specific timetable for reaching an agreement. , but a feeling that it should happen as soon as possible. .before.
