The US President decided to slap on 25 percent and 10 percent tariffs on steel and Aluminium imports into the United States, but later granted an exemption to European firms.

Mr Trump had hoped to reduce the US’s trade deficit with Europe by opting to create favourable conditions for domestic firms.

The exemption period is due to expire on June 1 and EU trade negotiators have been scrambling around in order to work on a solution that can tempt Washington into making them permanent.

She said: “Discussions are continuing. Is this offer going to be enough? I am not surely, frankly.”

The Swede revealed the US President was a hot topic for discussions amongst EU leaders at the recent Western Balkans summit in Sofia, enough for Washington to have a close eye on the meet-up.

EU member states are struggling to reach an agreement between themselves over how handle negotiations, with Franco-German relations being tested by differing opinions.

Express.co.uk learned from an EU diplomat familiar with negotiations that Germany is keen to kickstart trade talks as soon as possible with a tariff only trade deal.

Berlin is said to be “very keen” but the remaining 27 member states don’t think it is very wise to start negotiations with Mr Trump.

Many member states are also “sceptical” of holding talks with Mr Trump, because they crave a win-win scenario for both sides whereas the US President likes to present a clear win for Washington.

An EU source said: “There are still some member states that have some real doubts about the desirability or wisdom of this whole exercise.

“We are sceptical on the wisdom of starting a negotiation with an administration we don’t think will be very interested in finding good outcomes for both sides.

“We have some question marks on the viability of this project and are we doing this for the right reasons.”

This leaves Ms Malstrom in a precarious position as she issues warnings to European steel and aluminium manufactures to fear the worst.

She said: “There have been signals from the US that exemptions will not be prolonged.

“So either the tariffs will be imposed on us as of June 1or there will be other sorts of limiting measures.”

The EU trade chief has been in regular contact with her US counterpart Wilbur Ross, speaking to him several times a week, but she doubts whether Mr Trump will ever listen his recommendation.