The EU remains hopeful it will strike a deal to avoid steep levies Trump has threatened on its exports to the US.

But the EU is not expecting to achieve the same access to the US market as British steel, cars and other products subject to sectoral duties, according to six diplomats briefed on the issue. Trump, who championed the UK’s 2016 decision to leave the bloc, is also demanding 17 per cent tariffs on EU agrifood products.

The European Union says it hopes to reach a tariff deal with the US within days, following months of negotiations. Donald Trump has imposed 50 percent tariffs on EU steel and aluminium, 25 percent tariffs on cars and car parts and 10 percent tariffs on more than two-thirds of other European exports to the US.