Investing.com -- Serious trade negotiations have commenced between the United States and the European Union, aiming to prevent the worst outcomes of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. This development breaks a previous stalemate, according to a report from the Financial Times.

In the past few days, the two parties have swapped negotiation documents for the first time. These documents outline areas for discussion that span from tariffs to digital trade and investment opportunities, as per four individuals acquainted with the situation and an EU briefing note obtained by FT.

Sabine Weyand, the European Commission’s chief trade official, communicated to member state ambassadors that the EU must remain composed and resist the US’s preference for immediate victories, as mentioned in the briefing note. Weyand cautioned that some US tariffs, particularly on sectors the US wants to bring back home like steel and car manufacturing, are likely to persist.

The EU, a 27-member bloc previously accused by Trump of taking advantage of the US, has not made as much headway with US officials compared to other countries such as Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and the UK.

Jamieson Greer, Trump’s trade representative, accelerated the process by privately cautioning European diplomats that US officials were becoming increasingly impatient with the EU’s reluctance to offer any written proposals. According to two individuals familiar with these conversations, Greer stated that without an initial move from Brussels, the EU should anticipate Trump to fully reinstate his tariffs from April 2.

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