Ursula von der Leyen says the European Union is ready for a trade agreement with the United States. Still, it leaves the warning that if it is not a negotiated solution, no agreement may be closed.
The President of the European Commission said Thursday expect, in six days, an agreement of principle with Washington to avoid additional tariffs on European products, but ensured that he had “all instruments on the table” in the face of eventual disagreement.
“We are pointing to July 9, it is a huge task because we have the largest volume of trade between the European Union and the United States – 1.5 billion of euros – very complex and a huge amount and, in fact, what we intend to be an agreement in principle because in such a large volume, in 90 days, a detail agreement would be impossible,” said Ursula Von Der Leyen.
The president of the community executive was speaking at a press conference in the Danish city of Arhus, during the visit of the College of Commissioners to Denmark, a country that assumes this semester the rotating presidency of the European Union Council (EU).
“Negotiations with the United States are taking place at this precise moment”
Von der Leyen referred to July 9, which was informally defined by the United States as a deadline to complete a commercial agreement with the community block to prevent the application of punitive tariffs up to 20% on European products.
“Negotiations with the United States are taking place at this precise moment – Commissioner Sefcovic is today in Washington – and I just want to say that we are ready for an agreement. We want a negotiated solution, but they will know that at the same time, we are preparing to reach a satisfactory agreement,” said Ursula Von Der Leyen.
Pointing out that this is why a list of rebalancing with US products that can be charged was created, the official guaranteed: “We will defend the European interest to the necessary, the indispensable, or in other words we have all the instruments on the table.”
Given the current geopolitical tensions, the leader of the community executive indicated to have the Danish Presidency for, until December 31to reach “Results” With regard to finalizing trade agreements with other blocks, such as Mercosur, Mexico and India.
Tensions are due to the announcement of imposition of rates
Commercial tensions between Brussels and Washington are due to the announcements of President Donald Trump to impose 25% for steel, aluminum and European cars and 20% in reciprocal tariffs to the community, the latter, however, suspended for 90 days.
The European Commission, which holds the competence of the EU trade policy, has opted for prudence and this caution is supported by countries such as Portugal. Brussels wants to be able to negotiate with Washington, having already proposed zero rates for industrial goods in trade between both blocks.
More than 370 billion euros in EU exports to the US are subject to new tariffs
Currently, 379 billion euros in EU exports to the United States, equivalent to 70% of the total, are subject to new tariffs (including the suspended temporarily) since the new US administration took office last January. According to the European Commission, an average united state customer rights rate is higher than in the 1930s.
Denmark has been taking over since Tuesday the rotating presidency of the EU council, which will extend until the end of the year. The country succeeds Poland, which assumed the presidency in the first half of this year, and will then be followed by Cyprus in early 2026.
At a time of uncertainty, promoted by the various conflicts ongoing and by global strategic and economic competition, Copenhagen wants to ensure that the community bloc is able to act autonomously and wants to make it safer and more “green”.
