The European Union failed for a second day to approve a new package of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday as Slovakia continued to seek concessions over gas supplies, four EU diplomats told Reuters.

"The government coalition rejects the imbecile proposal of the European Commission to stop the flow of Russian gas from 2028," Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said.

The European Union has warned that its trade with the United States could be effectively wiped out if Washington makes good on its threat to slap a 30% tariff on goods imported from the bloc.

Italy's foreign minister warned that, while he hopes for successful negotiations, the EU will respond resolutely to Trump's latest tariff threat.

EU trade ministers have agreed that U.S. President Donald Trump’s 30% tariffs announced on the European Union are “absolutely unacceptable,” and they are studying a new set of countermeasures to respond to the move.

US President Donald Trump says talks with the European Union over a trade agreement are "making progress" - but warned that 30% tariffs on goods from the bloc was already a deal in his eyes. The EU has sent a team of trade experts to Washington for technical-level talks as pressure mounts to secure a deal with the Trump administration before the