The U.S. Commerce Secretary hailed the EU as Washington's "most important" economic partner, after holding trade talks in Brussels on Monday.

Howard Lutnick said the talks with European ministers had been productive, and allowed for a "reset" of the trade agreement between the two economies.

"The United States has a $30 trillion economy, the European Union has a $20 trillion economy. If we work together and we build those standards together, that $50 trillion trading bloc is the most important in the world," he added.

EU officials are pressing Washington for broader exemptions from U.S. tariffs on European goods, including wine, spirits and certain agricultural products, while also raising concerns about possible new investigations targeting European steel and industrial exports.

American officials, meanwhile, are urging the EU to accelerate legislative adjustments that U.S. companies argue are needed to level the playing field.

Behind closed doors, diplomats said the United States signaled impatience with delays inside the bloc and warned that unresolved issues could complicate broader cooperation on supply chains and technology.

The Brussels meeting was seen as a key moment for both sides to restore momentum in trade ties after months of political friction.