BRUSSELS: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday hit out at new tariffs threatened by US President Donald Trump, and said the European Union still sought a deal with Washington before the proposed measures take effect.
“Imposing 30 percent tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic,” von der Leyen said in a statement.
“We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required,” she added.
Von der Leyen insisted that “few economies in the world match the European Union’s level of openness and adherence to fair trading practices.”
“The EU has consistently prioritised a negotiated solution with the U.S., reflecting our commitment to dialogue, stability, and a constructive transatlantic partnership,” she said.
Trump on Saturday said major US trading partners, the European Union and Mexico, would face a 30 percent tariff starting next month, ramping up pressure for deals in his trade wars.
Both sets of duties would take effect August 1, Trump said in separate letters posted to his Truth Social platform, citing Mexico’s role in illicit drugs flowing into the United States and a trade imbalance with the EU, respectively.
An EU spokeswoman said that Brussels had been informed of the new tariffs before Trump published the letters online.
The EU tariff is also markedly steeper than the 20 percent levy Trump unveiled in April, as negotiations with the bloc continue.
EU to ‘defend European interests’
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday condemned Trump’s threat to impose 30-percent tariffs on the European Union, calling on the bloc to “resolutely defend European interests”.
Expressing France’s “very strong disapproval” of the announcement, Macron called on the bloc to “step up the preparation of credible countermeasures by mobilising all instruments at its disposal” if the two sides failed to reach agreement by August 1.
“France fully supports the European Commission in the negotiation that will intensify to reach a mutually acceptable agreement by August 1, so that it reflects the respect that trade partners such as the European Union and the United States owe each other,” he wrote on social media.
Germany urges ‘pragmatic’ solution
Germany’s economy minister called for pragmatism in EU tariff negotiations with the US.
“The EU now must, in the time that remains, negotiate in a pragmatic manner a solution with the United States,” Germany’s economy minister Katherina Reiche said in a statement.
“A pragmatic outcome to these negotiations must be reached quickly,” she said.
Earlier, Germany’s main industrial body urged a quick resolution.
“President Trump’s announcement is a wake-up call for industry on both sides of the Atlantic,” said the Federation of German Industries (BDI) in a statement.
“A trade conflict between two economic areas as closely linked as the EU and the United States harms economic recovery, innovation strength, and ultimately confidence in international cooperation,” warned Wolfgang Niedermark, a senior BDI official.
The federation “calls on the German government, the European Commission, and the American administration to now very quickly find solutions and to avoid an escalation.”
EU’s retaliatory tariffs
The EU, alongside dozens of other economies, had been set to see its US tariff level increase from a baseline of 10 percent on Wednesday, but Trump pushed back the deadline to August 1 just days before the elevated rates were due to take effect.
The EU has prepared retaliatory duties on US goods worth around 21 billion euros after Trump also slapped separate tariffs on steel and aluminium imports earlier this year, and they are suspended until July 14.
European officials have not made any move to extend the suspension, but could do it quickly if needed.
Diplomats said that an unscheduled meeting of ambassadors from the EU’s 27 countries has been convened in Brussels for Sunday afternoon to discuss the latest move from Trump.
