DUBLIN, July 15 (Reuters) - A framework agreement on trade between the European Union and the United States was "tantalisingly close" before President Donald Trump's letter threatening a 30% tariff on imports from the EU, Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

"A framework agreement was tantalisingly close, even in recent days and I think that's why, when the letter came, there was surprise because genuinely from a European perspective there was an expectation that a deal was in there," Simon Harris told a trade conference on Tuesday.

"There was and can I say remains absolutely space for a deal," Harris said, adding that sector-specific areas the U.S. may separately tariff such as pharmaceuticals were unlikely to be part of such a framework.

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Alison Williams)

((padraic.halpin@thomsonreuters.com; +353 1 500 1504; Reuters Messaging: padraic.halpin.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))