The European Commission has received a new negotiating proposal from the United States in the tariff negotiations. This was stated by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at a press conference after the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday evening.
- We are assessing the proposal as we speak. Our message is clear: the EU is ready to conclude an agreement, but not at any price, says Ursula von der Leyen.
She did not immediately reveal what the American proposal contains. It comes after Europe has long been frustrated by the lack of clarity about the American position in the negotiations.
Despite the new proposal, Ursula von der Leyen will not close the door on the EU being forced to impose counter-tariffs on American goods if an agreement is not reached.
- We are ready to defend Europe's interests. All options are still on the table, says Ursula von der Leyen. The EU Commission has come under increasing pressure to close a deal in the run-up to Thursday's EU summit.
Germany wants quick trade deal
After the summit, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the EU should conclude a "quick and simple" trade deal with the US instead of a "slow and complicated" one. In doing so, he once again pointed an accusing finger at the EU Commission, which negotiates on behalf of the 27 EU countries.
The EU Commission should focus on a simpler agreement that includes the most important industries, the German Chancellor said earlier this week.
Not surprisingly, he pointed to the most important industries for Germany: the automotive industry, the chemical industry, the pharmaceutical industry and mechanical engineering.
Merz also said that von der Leyen had proposed to the Europeans to build a new trade organization, on the grounds that the World Trade Organization (WTO) is struggling to maintain its relevance in light of Trump's tariffs.
Von der Leyen confirmed at the press conference that she presented the leaders of the EU countries with the various options the EU has in relation to concluding free trade agreements with other countries.
- The interesting thing is that the Asian countries want structured cooperation with the EU. And the EU wants that too. We can see it as a start to redesign the WTO without some of the mistakes that were made with the WTO. It should show the world that free trade between many countries is possible on a rules-based basis, says Ursula von der Leyen.
France will match Trump's tariffs
French President Emmanuel Macron also wants a quick and pragmatic trade agreement with the United States. According to Reuters, Macron stated after the summit that all tools must be used to ensure a fair agreement.
If Trump maintains his ten percent tariff on the majority of European goods, then Europe must come up with a corresponding response, Macron believes.
- Our good will should not be seen as weakness, Macron said according to Reuters.
/ritzau/
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