The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that the European Union is nearing a trade deal with Washington that could impose a 15-per-cent tariff on EU goods entering the United States, avoiding a more severe 30-per-cent levy set to start on Aug. 1, according to two EU diplomats. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that European Commission officials briefed EU envoys on the negotiations, but final approval rests with U.S. President Donald Trump. The potential deal would apply to sectors like cars and pharmaceuticals and would be added on top of existing U.S. duties, which average just under 5 per cent. There could also be concessions for sectors such as aircraft, lumber as well as some medicines and agricultural products, which would not face tariffs, the diplomats said. Washington does not, however, appear willing to lower its current 50-per-cent tariff on steel. The European Commission said its primary focus was to achieve a negotiated outcome to avert the threatened 30-per-cent tariffs. At the same time it planned to submit countertariffs on $148.9-billion worth of U.S. goods to EU members for approval. A vote is expected today, though no measures would be imposed until Aug. 7.