LVMH chief executive Bernard Arnault has stepped up lobbying for a swift settlement in the trade talks between Brussels and Washington, warning that an escalation in tariffs would further depress global luxury demand. In interviews with Le Figaro and the Wall Street Journal, Arnault said he is “pushing as much as I can” for an agreement that could limit U.S. duties on European goods to about 15%, adding that he expects “good news soon.” Against that backdrop, Arnault disclosed plans to build a second Louis Vuitton workshop in Texas by 2027, expanding on the group’s 2019 facility in the state. The additional U.S. production capacity would help the world’s largest luxury company hedge against potential tariff risks while deepening its presence in what remains its biggest market. The appeal came a day after LVMH reported a 4% year-on-year drop in second-quarter revenue to €19.5 billion and a 22% slide in first-half net profit to €5.9 billion. Sales in the core Fashion and Leather Goods division fell 9%, though the Sephora-anchored Selective Retailing unit continued to grow. Investors looked past the headline declines, sending LVMH shares up roughly 5% in Paris trading on expectations that cost controls, steady beauty sales and a possible EU-U.S. tariff truce could stabilise earnings. Arnault said he remains “very optimistic” about the medium-term, citing market-share gains in mainland China.