European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen announced Sunday she held a “good call” with U.S. President Donald Trump, following his recent threat of 50-percent tariffs on the bloc. Von der Leyen vowed to move “swiftly” to reach a comprehensive trade agreement with Washington.
“The EU and US share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship,” the European Commission president, responsible for the 27-nation bloc’s trade policy, posted on X. She further stated, “Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively,” adding, “To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.”
Brussels and the United States have been engaged in ongoing negotiations aimed at averting a full-blown transatlantic trade war, having previously agreed to suspend most tariff actions until July. However, Trump significantly raised the stakes on Friday, complaining that discussions with the EU were “going nowhere” and threatening a 50-percent tariff on all EU imports to the United States commencing June 1.
The U.S. leader also stated on Friday that he was “not looking for a deal” with the EU, reiterating his long-held view that the bloc was created to “take advantage” of the United States.
Separately on Sunday, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called for “serious negotiations” with Washington, confirming he had discussed the matter with his U.S. counterpart, Scott Bessent. “We don’t need any further provocations, but serious negotiations,” Klingbeil, who also serves as Germany’s vice chancellor, told Bild newspaper. He warned that “The US tariffs endanger the US economy just as much as the German and European economy.”
Trump has previously imposed three sets of tariffs on the bloc: 25 percent on steel and aluminum, another 25 percent on automobiles, followed by a 20-percent “reciprocal” levy on all imports – though this latter tariff has been suspended pending talks, a baseline 10 percent remains in force.
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic, who engaged in talks with his U.S. counterparts on Friday, responded to Trump’s latest outburst by asserting that the bloc was “committed to securing a deal” but emphasized that trade ties should be founded on “mutual respect, not threats.”
Brussels has previously announced plans to implement tariffs on U.S. goods valued at nearly 100 billion euros ($113 billion) should negotiations fail to produce an agreement. In 2024, the U.S. recorded a trade deficit in goods with the European Union of $236 billion. However, when accounting for services, where American firms hold a dominant position, the European Commission calculates the U.S. trade deficit stood at 50 billion euros ($57 billion).
*
Email *
Website
