New Delhi, July 27 -- US President Donald Trump on Sunday expressed optimism over reaching a trade deal with the European Union, even as the clock ticks toward an August 1 deadline that could trigger sweeping tariffs on EU exports to the United States.

Speaking at the start of a high-stakes meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at his Turnberry golf resort on Scotland's western coast, Trump said there was a "good chance" of striking an agreement, despite "three or four main sticking points" - most notably around what he called "fairness" in car and agricultural exports.

Washington has threatened to impose a 30% across-the-board tariff on EU goods beginning August 1 unless a deal is reached. Currently, the EU is...