BRUSSELS, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) is intensifying negotiations with the United States in pursuit of a resolution to an ongoing trade dispute, while simultaneously preparing a set of potential countermeasures in the event that talks fail, a spokesperson told Xinhua in an emailed statement on Wednesday.

"The EU's primary focus is on achieving a negotiated outcome with the United States. Intensive technical and political-level contact is ongoing," said Olof Gill, spokesperson for the European Commission on trade.

While diplomacy remains the bloc's priority, the EU is laying the groundwork for alternative outcomes, including the implementation of additional retaliatory measures, according to the spokesperson. As part of these preparations, the bloc plans to consolidate two existing countermeasure lists into a single, streamlined package.

"To make our countermeasures clearer, simpler, and stronger, we will merge Lists 1 and 2 into a single list and submit this to Member States for approval," the spokesperson explained.

The consolidated list will combine already approved tariffs on 21 billion euros (24.6 billion U.S. dollars) worth of U.S. goods with a proposed list covering an additional 72 billion euros in American exports. The combined measures, however, will not take effect until Aug. 7, the statement said.

EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is expected to speak later Wednesday with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, ahead of a European Commission briefing to EU Member States at the Committee of Permanent Representatives. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollars) ■