Von der Leyen Vows to Defend EU Interests Amid Escalating Trade Tensions with the United States
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledges proportional countermeasures as US President Donald Trump announces tariffs on European and Mexican imports.
In response to recent developments in transatlantic trade negotiations, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has issued a statement emphasizing the EU's commitment to reaching an agreement with the United States while prepared to defend its interests.
The latest escalation comes after US President Donald Trump revealed his intention to impose a 30% tariff on goods imported from both the EU and Mexico starting next month.
Von der Leyen expressed the EU’s readiness to continue working towards a trade agreement before the August 1 deadline, stating that the Commission would take all necessary steps to safeguard European Union interests.
These measures include countermeasures should negotiations fail to produce an agreed-upon outcome by the deadline.
She noted the bloc's adherence to open markets and fair trading practices, asserting that few global economies can rival the EU in these areas.
The imposition of 30% tariffs on EU exports, according to Von der Leyen, would not only disrupt vital transatlantic supply chains but also harm businesses, consumers, and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.
Furthermore, she dismissed claims of unequal terms as unfounded, reaffirming the EU’s position as a reliable and rules-based trading partner.
As trade talks hang in the balance, the tariff threat has raised significant concerns over the future of US-EU trade negotiations, which were expected to culminate in a new comprehensive agreement this month.
The European Union, while expressing its commitment to finding common ground with the United States, stands prepared to protect its economic interests through proportional measures if necessary.
The latest escalation comes after US President Donald Trump revealed his intention to impose a 30% tariff on goods imported from both the EU and Mexico starting next month.
Von der Leyen expressed the EU’s readiness to continue working towards a trade agreement before the August 1 deadline, stating that the Commission would take all necessary steps to safeguard European Union interests.
These measures include countermeasures should negotiations fail to produce an agreed-upon outcome by the deadline.
She noted the bloc's adherence to open markets and fair trading practices, asserting that few global economies can rival the EU in these areas.
The imposition of 30% tariffs on EU exports, according to Von der Leyen, would not only disrupt vital transatlantic supply chains but also harm businesses, consumers, and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.
Furthermore, she dismissed claims of unequal terms as unfounded, reaffirming the EU’s position as a reliable and rules-based trading partner.
As trade talks hang in the balance, the tariff threat has raised significant concerns over the future of US-EU trade negotiations, which were expected to culminate in a new comprehensive agreement this month.
The European Union, while expressing its commitment to finding common ground with the United States, stands prepared to protect its economic interests through proportional measures if necessary.
