European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic speaks to the media forward of a European Union Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) assembly to talk about EU-U.S. relations, in Brussels, Belgium, on July 14, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
“The European Union will try to reach a good trade deal with the United States, while preparing possible countermeasures if the talks fail,” EU commerce commissioner Maros Sefcovic stated on Monday (July 14, 2025).
“We continue to engage with the U.S. administration and prioritise a negotiated solution by the new deadline of August 1. I cannot imagine walking away without any effort,” Mr. Sefcovic stated earlier than a gathering with EU Trade Ministers in Brussels.
Trump places 35% tariff on Canada from August 1, eyes 15%-20% tariffs for others
“But the EU would have to prepare for all outcomes,” he stated, “including, if necessary, well considered, proportionate countermeasures to restore the balance.”
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Saturday (July 12, 2025) he would impose 30% tariffs on most EU imports from August 1, although there was nonetheless time to hammer out an settlement to safe decrease tariffs.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded that 30percenttariffs on EU exports would disrupt important transatlantic provide chains, hurting companies, shoppers and sufferers on each side of the Atlantic.
U.S. tariffs on European items threaten to shake up world’s largest two-way commerce relationship
She stated on Sunday (July 13, 2025) that the bloc would prolong its suspension of countermeasures till early August to prioritise negotiations.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, forward of the assembly in Brussels, stated it was too early to impose countermeasures and that he hoped the EU would stay united on that entrance.
“But we should prepare to be ready to use all the tools,” he added. “If you want peace, you have to prepare for war. And I think that’s where we are.”
Published – July 14, 2025 03:10 pm IST