Contributing are the messages emitting Washington and Brussels on the course of trade negotiations. US President Donald Trump estimated on Friday that there is a “50-50 or even smaller” possibility to reach an agreement, while European officials and diplomats say the two sides are close to a framework agreement, which may be announced.

According to the same European sources, the agreement is expected to include a 15% basic duty on all European products imported to the US, while EU’s steel and aluminum is considering a 50% duty.

“We are working intensively with Europe, the EU,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House for a trip to Scotland, where he would spend a few days playing golf and making bilateral contacts.

“I would say we have 50-50 odds, maybe less, but 50-50 chances of reaching an agreement with the EU.”

Asked for the second time about the prospects for reaching an agreement, he said that “this is the big issue right now … I think the EU has a pretty good chance of reaching an agreement right now.”

On Thursday, the European Commission had stated that a negotiating solution with the US is feasible, despite the fact that EU member states approved the imposition of € 93 billion ($ 109 billion) on US products in the event of negotiations.

The Commission has repeatedly pointed out that its aim is to avoid imposing 30% of the US, which Trump announced that they will be implemented on August 1st.

Trump noted that, in order to reach an agreement, the EU should “be able to reduce” this duty, but without giving specific details.

EU diplomats estimate that the two sides are moving towards a possible agreement, which would lead to a 15% general duty on imports of European products in the US based on the Washington deal with Japan.

However, the White House described these reports as “speculation”. Trade’s Trump Advisor, Peter Navarro, told Bloomberg News that the EU report should be “cautious”.

There was no clear picture of what the EU could offer to secure a deal. A European diplomat said there is no promise of investment in the US, as Japan did.

At the same time, Donald Trump left open the possibility of the United States not to reach a trade agreement with Canada, implying that his government could impose duties unilaterally.

“We were not particularly lucky with Canada. I think in the case of Canada there may be just a duty, without real negotiation, “he said.

Trump also noted that “most of the trade agreements will be completed by August 1” and that some of them may be “through letter”. On the agreement with China, he said that “we have the basic framework of an agreement”.