Europe’s trade commissioner shared phone calls with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Monday as both sides of the Atlantic seek to reach a trade deal and head off President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff threat.
“The @EU_Commission remains fully committed to constructive and focused efforts at pace towards an [EU,U.S.]
Still, not everyone involved in the negotiations is projecting positivity this soon after Trump’s Friday ultimatum.
Self-sabotaging, drivel,” said one EU official granted anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations, describing the back and forth.
“We need to repeat in all stages that this is preparatory work we’re doing in the event that negotiations don’t work out, which is our top priority, always has been.” Ari Hawkins contributed to this report.
U.S. and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick exchanged phone calls with Europe’s trade commissioner. S. . In an effort to reach a trade agreement and stop President Donald Trump’s broad tariff threat, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer spoke on Monday.
“The @EU_Commission is steadfast in its commitment to making targeted, positive progress quickly toward an [EU,U. S. . [deal] on X, Maroš Šefčovič wrote. “We are still in continuous communication. “.”.
Trump slapped European negotiators last Friday, threatening to impose 50% tariffs beginning in early June as retaliation for “our discussions with them ..” This prompted the detente. not progressing. However, following a phone conversation with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, on Sunday, Trump decided to postpone the start date of the tariffs from June 1 to July 9, which considerably calmed the markets by Monday morning.
Not all parties to the negotiations, however, are expressing optimism so soon after Trump’s Friday ultimatum.
It is both inconsiderate and annoying. One EU official, who was given anonymity to speak about sensitive negotiations, described the back and forth as “self-sabotaging, drivel.”. “Is there any more evidence that discussions are failing than this nonsense?”.
Paula Pinho, the European Commission’s chief spokesperson, stated at a press briefing on Monday that the Sunday call gave the two sides’ talks “a new impetus.”.
“And we will proceed from there,” Pinho stated. We have consistently stated that we were prepared to reach an agreement, so it is encouraging to see that the presidents are also participating. “.”.
Olof Gill, a spokesman for the European Commission, reiterated the commission’s view that a zero-for-zero approach—in which both parties would eliminate their industrial tariffs—is “a very attractive starting point for a good negotiation.”. “”.
Gill stated at the press briefing that the EU is still developing a list of possible countermeasures in case negotiations with the White House on a deal fail.
In order to create a final list of possible countermeasures, Gill stated, “in addition to our member states, we’re talking to industry and other stakeholders that might be interested in this.”. We must emphasize at every turn that this is preparatory work that we are doing in case negotiations fail, as that has always been our top priority. “”.
This report was aided by Ari Hawkins.
