U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer invited to October EU trade ministers meeting

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has been invited to a meeting of EU trade ministers set to occur in October, two European diplomats with knowledge of the plans, granted anonymity to discuss the gathering, told POLITICO.

The scheduled meeting comes amid renewed U.S. pressure on the EU’s rulebooks and as the bloc weighs how to reshape its relationship with Beijing. Brussels is also still awaiting the results of a U.S. investigation into excess manufacturing capacity, which could put Washington at odds with the terms of a transatlantic trade pact struck last year.

Although Greer hasn’t yet confirmed his participation, this would be the trade envoy’s second time attending a meeting of EU ministers, which is scheduled to occur in Dublin on Oct. 22-23 and is organized by the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the intergovernmental branch of the EU. It’s expected to focus on ongoing EU trade negotiations and provide “strategic direction” for the bloc’s trade policy according to the Irish Presidency.

Last year, both Greer and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick traveled to Brussels for a meeting with ministers at which they sought to obtain a commitment from the EU that it would loosen its tech rulebook.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU did not respond to POLITICO’s requests for comment.

After an escalating trade war ended with both sides inking a tariff truce a year ago, the U.S. administration is now doubling down its pressure on the EU’s regulatory framework.

Just this summer, Trump threatened to launch an investigation into Brussels’ digital regulations after the EU Commission fined Google for breaches of the Digital Markets Act. Most recently, Trump’s envoy to Brussels, Andrew Puzder, lashed out against the bloc’s climate and sustainability rules.