Navarro Casts Doubt on Imminent US-EU Trade Deal, Eyes Rare Earth Diversification

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said reports suggesting Washington and Brussels are on the verge of a trade agreement should be “taken with a grain of salt,” adding that it is premature to predict an outcome. Speaking on Bloomberg Television, Navarro replied “let’s see what happens” when pressed on the prospects for a deal. Navarro added that the administration is currently concentrating on securing supplies of rare earth minerals from producers outside China, reflecting broader efforts to reduce U.S. dependence on Beijing for critical materials used in electronics, defense equipment and renewable-energy technologies.