EU Plans Negotiations with US on Tariffs

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is prepared to negotiate with the United States regarding the sweeping tariffs recently imposed by President Trump. She highlighted the EU's willingness to offer zero-for-zero tariffs on industrial goods while simultaneously preparing countermeasures against Trump's 20 percent tariffs on imports from EU countries. Von der Leyen emphasized the need for deep technical negotiations and expressed the EU's desire for a mutually beneficial deal, despite also preparing for potential retaliatory actions. Moreover, she mentioned the establishment of a task force to monitor trade diversions and dumping as a result of the changing trade landscape. The EU is also seeking to expand its trade partnerships beyond the US, actively engaging with countries like Mexico, India, and Thailand. The ongoing discussions reflect the EU's commitment to securing its trade interests in light of the new US tariff policies.