Phil Hogan, the EU’s new trade commissioner, plans to reset transatlantic trade relations.

Various sensitive issues have caused friction in trade relations between the US and EU, which Hogan intends to address in an upcoming meeting with his American counterpart.

While much attention has been on the trade conflict between the US and China, the Trump administration has also imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminum since mid-2018. In response, the EU imposed tariffs on US imports. Additionally, a longstanding disagreement over European subsidies for Airbus has created tension, with the US arguing it gives unfair advantages to the European aerospace company. Furthermore, recent disputes have emerged, such as France’s implementation of a “digital tax,” which the US believes unfairly targets American tech firms with global operations.

Hogan held discussions with US trade representative Robert Lighthizer before the holidays to address these issues. They have now scheduled a meeting in mid-January to discuss the current and historical trade conflicts between the US and EU. Hogan stated, “We agreed to convene in Washington in mid-January to address the numerous issues straining the EU-US relationship. It is essential to establish a common trade agenda before delving into resolving specific trade disputes.”