European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday to clinch a trade deal for Europe that would likely see a 15% baseline tariff on most EU goods, but end months of uncertainty for EU companies.
U.S. and EU negotiators huddled in final talks on tariffs facing crucial sectors like cars, steel, aluminium and pharmaceuticals before the meeting, which is expected at 1530 GMT on Trump’s golf course in Turnberry, western Scotland.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick flew to Scotland on Saturday and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic arrived on Sunday morning.
Lutnick told “Fox News Sunday” that the EU needed to open its markets for more U.S. exports to convince Trump to reduce a threatened 30% tariff rate that is due to kick in on Aug. 1.
“The question is, do they offer President Trump a good enough deal that is worth it for him to step off of the 30% tariffs that he set,” Lutnick said, adding that the EU clearly wanted — and needed — to reach an agreement.
