President Donald Trump put the odds of striking a trade deal with Europe to reduce the tariff rate on their imports at 50-50, even as diplomats from the trading bloc have expressed optimism in recent days that an agreement could be near.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said there was a 50-50 chance that the United States would reach a trade agreement with the European Union. Trump spoke to reporters as he left the White House to head to Scotland for several days of golfing and bilateral meetings.