EU trade ministers to discuss Trump’s new tariffs on bloc today

EU trade ministers will meet in Brussels today with US President Donald Trump on 30% tariffs on goods from the eurozone that will come into effect on 1 August.

The ministers will meet to discuss trade with the US and China during the first of a two-day Foreign Affairs Council meeting in the Belgian capital.

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced 30% tariffs on the EU and Mexico, which could cause major upheaval between the United States and its two biggest trading partners.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reacted to the new tariffs by stressing the bloc’s “commitment to dialogue, stability and a constructive transatlantic partnership”. At the same time, she said the EU had prepared countermeasures in response but was refraining from using them for now.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz struck an optimistic tone in media on Sunday, telling national broadcaster ARD that he had spoken to von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron and Trump on Friday and they had agreed to try to reach an agreement within the next two weeks.

Merz said talks were progressing and stressed that other countries that have received similar letters, including China and Canada, usually find sensible solutions.

Macron also condemned the new tariffs and said he would prepare “decisive countermeasures” if an agreement was not reached in time.

Tags: USA, duties, EU