On Monday, the European Union announced that its members are “ready to negotiate” with President Donald Trump, just three days after a sweeping wave of tariffs significantly affected exports destined for the U.S. In prepared remarks, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Europe “is always ready for a good deal,” echoing a theme Trump has promoted since imposing the tariffs last week.
Von der Leyen’s comments mark one of the most high-profile acknowledgments by a European leader that the E.U. may not be able to sustain its trade surplus against the U.S. for much longer. “We have offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods as we have successfully done with many other trading partners,” the German politician said before welcoming Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to Brussels. The tariffs, she added, “come … at immense costs for US consumers and businesses,” as she went on to say that the EU “stand[s] ready to negotiate with the United States.”
The EU will remain committed to “respond through countermeasures and defend our interests” as it looked to step up its protection against “indirect effects [of] trade diversion,” Von de Leyen stated, according to the Guardian. The next step toward the elimination of U.S.-E.U. tariffs will occur later this week when the European leader meets with politicians from other E.U. nations to discuss “strengthening our single market [by] getting rid of remaining barriers.”
Later in the day, E.U. trade commissioner Maroš Šef?ovi? acknowledged that Europe finds itself in a weak bargaining position against Trump, describing the continent as being backed into a “tough spot.” He told reporters, “Seventy percent of our total exports are facing tariffs of 20% of 25% or even higher,” before a meeting with U.S. counterparts where he promised to emphasize that “the E.U.-U.S. trade relationship could benefit from a fresh look and a boost in strategic areas,” noting both markets “face similar challenges.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum preempted the headlines by stating that Mexico would not impose reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports after the U.S. levied 25% tariffs on Mexican aluminum and steel. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who suspended most U.S. tariffs in his country last week, is set to meet with President Trump at the White House on Monday. This meeting will be the first opportunity for a global leader to discuss the need for fairer trade deals between the two nations.