The 15% tariff would be lower than previously threatened, but it would remain a high duty on America’s largest trading partner.

The pact would set duties of 15 percent on imports of items such as wine and automobiles, or about half the 30 percent the president had recently threatened.

Some European politicians are dismayed that the European Union did not drive a harder bargain, but facing the threat of a damaging trade war, officials say they had little choice.