EU tariff proposal for US still “on the table”, says von der Leyen

The EU’s trade proposal with the US has not changed despite pressure from US President Donald Trump, who last week threatened to impose 50% tariffs on EU imports, Euronews reports.

The bloc has proposed a zero-for-zero tariff on goods and has offered to buy US energy, technology and agricultural products in a bid to end the trade war that the US launched in mid-March.

“As for zero-for-zero, that is still up for discussion,” EU trade spokesman Olof Gill said on Monday, adding: “We believe it is a very attractive starting point for good negotiations that can lead to benefits on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The EU and the US exchanged letters last week with proposals to start talks, which had disastrous consequences.

Officials said the US proposal was “unilateral”, while Trump wrote on his social media account Truth: “Our discussions with them (the EU) are getting nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending direct 50% tariffs on the European Union, starting June 1, 2025.”

After speaking with EU President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, Trump agreed to postpone his threat to impose 50% tariffs until July 9.

Tags: EU, USA