German Chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced hope Wednesday that EU-US trade talks in Washington are moving forward, with a deal needed before President Trump’s August 1 tariff deadline.

Speaking in Berlin alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Merz noted signs of possible decisions on trade policy, according to Firstpost.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said negotiations were improving, as EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic met US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The EU has prepared countermeasures if talks fail.