The EU is refining its strategy to respond to Washington, hoping to discuss tariffs with the US on Monday

EU chief negotiator and European trade ministers said in Brussels on Monday that after Trump threatened to impose 30% tariffs on the EU on August 1, the EU hopes to reach an agreement with the US, but patience is running thin.

EU Trade Commissioner Seychell-Kovac said on Monday before a meeting of EU trade ministers in Brussels: I plan to hold further talks with my US counterparts later today.

He also said, "We must be prepared for all possible scenarios, including taking proportionate and carefully adjusted countermeasures when necessary to restore balance in our transatlantic relationship."

French Foreign Trade Minister Saint-Martin said in Brussels on Monday: Obviously, the situation since Saturday has compelled us to change our approach. But we must "have no taboos," including announcing the first retaliatory actions on Monday.

Denmark's Foreign Minister Rasmussen said: "We hope to reach an agreement, but there is an old saying: 'If you want peace, you must prepare for war.'"

Diplomats emphasized that a package of additional retaliatory measures will be submitted to the ministers on Monday, which can be implemented if Trump chooses to impose a 30% tax on EU goods.

However, EU Commission President von der Leyen, who represents the EU in negotiations, chose to hold off temporarily under pressure from countries like Germany. On Sunday, she said the EU would temporarily not respond to the US steel and aluminum tariffs, hoping to achieve a less painful agreement.

In a letter published on his "Truth Social" platform, the US president justified the 30% tariff on the EU by citing the trade deficit between the US and the 27 EU countries, and warned that if the EU takes retaliatory measures against the US, he would add an equal amount to the 30% rate.

Ireland Germany

According to data from the Office of the US Trade Representative, in 2024, the US trade deficit with the EU was $236 billion, an increase of 13% compared to the previous year. The EU exported $606 billion worth of goods to the US.

Trump's move immediately triggered a strong reaction in Europe, with important sectors of the European economy, from cars to medicines, from airplanes to wine, potentially being hit.

Ireland, with its pharmaceutical industry, and Germany, with its automotive and heavy industries, will be hit harder than France, although France's wine industry is already worried about a "disaster".

German Economy Minister Katharina Reiche called on the EU to engage in "pragmatic negotiations" on the "main points of contention" to achieve "pragmatic solutions".

Sources: rfi

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837669967501449/

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