(ANSA-AFP) - BERLIN, 09 LUG - Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday he was "cautiously optimistic" about the prospects of a deal between the European Union and the United States to avert increased tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump. "I am cautiously optimistic that we may succeed in reaching an agreement with the United States in the next few days or at the latest by the end of the month," Merz said in a speech in parliament. (ANSA-AFP).