Internet reported that a senior German politician said on Sunday that the EU and Washington may negotiate further to delay raising import tariffs after U.S. President Trump threatened to increase tariffs on the EU, exacerbating the trade war. "The poker game of negotiations between the EU and the United States is entering a decisive stage," said Jurgen Hart, deputy leader of the conservative CDU/CSU in the German Bundestag. "I'd bet a partial agreement will be reached at least before August 1, with further delay. After all, high tariffs must be paid by U.S. citizens and companies, which will lead to higher prices and inflation in the United States." Hart said Europe must dissuade Trump from "mistakenly believing" that the U.S. trade deficit is caused by the EU's protectionist measures. He said the U.S. has a surplus in services due to the dominance of the IT industry, which largely offset the trade deficit.