European Commission expects to hear on Thursday whether leaders want quick trade deal or tough reaction
European leaders will tell the European Commission later on Thursday whether they want a quick trade deal with the US, or favour a tough response to Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to update EU leaders over dinner on Thursday on trade talks with the US ahead of a looming 9 July deadline.
The commission is responsible for trade on behalf of the EU’s 27 member states, but is seeking a steer on how to approach the economically critical talks with the White House. Trump has threatened to impose 50% tariffs on all EU goods from 9 July unless the two sides reach a deal. Most EU goods already face a 10% tariff, with levies of 25% on cars and car parts, and 50% on steel and aluminium.
Arriving at the EU summit in Brussels, the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said he supported the commission “in all its endeavours to reach a trade agreement with the USA quickly”.
