EU’s High Trade Surplus With the U.S. Poses Risk to 2018 Tariff Truce

BRUSSELS—The European Union narrowly avoided a bruising economic war with the U.S. in 2018 by vowing to rebalance trade. In 2019, the EU faces headwinds to fulfilling its promise and satisfying President Trump’s demands.

EU and U.S. negotiators missed a self-imposed November deadline to deliver quick resultson removing nontariff barriers. Their talks on a broader free-trade deal appear doomed amid sparring over the scope of any pact. And the EU trade surplus in goods with the U.S.—a top concern for Mr. Trump—is on track for a record for 2018.