The European Union (EU) is trying to "make the best out of a very bad situation" by trying to "force the U.S. to uphold its promises," said a European policy analyst after the European Commission proposed on Thursday to remove duties on imported U.S. industrial goods in return for reduced U.S. tariffs on European cars. The proposal is a key part of the trade agreement the EU and the United States struck last month. "I think the deal in general is a strong sign of EU weakness," added Brussels-based research centre EPC's Varg Folkman.