European corporate giants, including German carmaker Mercedes Benz and French luxury group LVMH, are leading a rearguard action to blunt the bloc’s response to US President Donald Trump’s proposed sanctions.

The European Union is open to a trade agreement with the United States that would apply a universal 10% tariff on many of its exports, but the EU is seeking U.S. commitments to reduce tariffs in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals,

German automaker Mercedes-Benz Group AG, French luxury giant LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE and other major European firms are spearheading a corporate push that’s weakening the European Union’s efforts to stand up to Donald Trump’s tariff threats.